A nurse is preparing to administer a daily dose of warfarin to a client. Which of the following laboratory values should the nurse check prior to administration?
Platelets
OPTT
WBC
INR
The Correct Answer is D
D. The INR is the standard laboratory test used to monitor the effectiveness of warfarin therapy. Warfarin interferes with the synthesis of vitamin K-dependent clotting factors, primarily factors II, VII, IX, and X. The INR provides a standardized measure of coagulation status, allowing healthcare providers to adjust warfarin dosage to maintain therapeutic anticoagulation while minimizing the risk of bleeding or thrombosis.
A. Platelets are involved in the process of blood clotting, but checking platelet levels is not specific to monitoring warfarin therapy. Platelet count may be relevant in assessing overall coagulation status, but it is not the primary laboratory value monitored for warfarin therapy.
B. OPTT measures the time it takes for blood to clot after specific clotting factors are activated. While OPTT is used to monitor the effectiveness of heparin therapy, it is not routinely monitored for warfarin therapy. Warfarin primarily affects the extrinsic pathway of the coagulation cascade, and the international normalized ratio (INR) is the standard laboratory test used to monitor warfarin therapy.
C. White blood cell count assesses the number of white blood cells in the blood and is used to evaluate the immune system and detect infections. Monitoring white blood cell count is not specific to warfarin therapy and is not routinely checked prior to administering warfarin.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Checking the prescription in the client's medical record can help confirm the correct medication and dosage prescribed by the healthcare provider. It allows the nurse to verify the intended medication and compare it with what was supplied by the pharmacy.
B. While asking the client about allergies is important for medication safety, it may not directly address the discrepancy between the listed medication (phenobarbital) and the supplied medication (pentobarbital). Allergies are relevant to ensuring the safety of the medication administration, but they may not provide immediate clarification of the discrepancy.
C. This action may provide some context about the client's medication history, but it does not directly address the discrepancy between the listed medication and the supplied medication. The focus should be on confirming the correct medication for administration according to the client's current prescription.
D. This action may provide information about the client's previous medication administration history, but it does not directly address the discrepancy between the listed medication and the supplied medication. The nurse's primary concern should be to verify the correct medication to be administered at the current time.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
B. Pregnant individuals should not receive the LAIV. It is recommended that pregnant individuals receive the inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV) instead. Therefore, this client has a contraindication to receiving the LAIV.
A. Rhinitis, or inflammation of the nasal passages, is not a contraindication to receiving the LAIV. In fact, LAIV may be preferred over the inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV) for individuals without contraindications between the ages of 2 and 49 years.
C. Recent receipt of a tattoo is not a contraindication to receiving the LAIV. While LAIV should generally not be administered to individuals with compromised immune systems, recent tattooing is not considered a contraindication.
D. Traveling to a different country is not a contraindication to receiving the LAIV. However, individuals with certain medical conditions or who are immunocompromised should not receive the LAIV.
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