A nurse is preparing to administer warfarin to a client who has chronic atrial fibrillation. Which of the following laboratory values should the nurse monitor prior to administering the medication?

A. Absent pedal pulse: Deep vein thrombosis affects the venous system, so arterial pulses typically remain palpable. An absent pulse is more indicative of arterial occlusion rather than DVT. Monitoring pulses is important, but this finding does not confirm DVT.

B. Numbness of the affected extremity: Numbness is usually associated with nerve compression or neuropathy, not DVT. While swelling from a clot may occasionally cause mild pressure on nerves, sensory changes are not a primary diagnostic indicator of venous thrombosis.

C. Warmth of the affected extremity: Localized warmth, along with redness, swelling, and tenderness, is a classic sign of DVT due to inflammation and venous obstruction. This finding warrants prompt assessment and intervention to prevent complications such as pulmonary embolism.

D. Muscle spasms: Muscle cramps or spasms may occur for various reasons, including electrolyte imbalances, but they are not specific indicators of DVT. Relying on spasms alone could delay appropriate diagnosis and treatment.

A. Remove personal protective equipment immediately after leaving the client's room: PPE such as gloves and gowns should be removed before exiting the room to prevent contaminating other areas. Removing PPE after leaving the room risks spreading pathogens throughout the unit.

B. Use an alcohol swab to clean the temperature probe before removing it from the room: Reusable equipment should be disinfected according to facility policy, usually inside the room or using proper cleaning protocols before removal. For contact precautions, using a dedicated temperature probe that stays in the room is the preferred method.

C. Wear an N95 mask when entering the room: N95 masks are required for airborne precautions, not standard contact precautions. Contact precautions primarily involve wearing gloves and gowns to prevent transmission via direct or indirect contact.

D. Keep a stethoscope at the client's bedside for the duration of her hospital stay: Assigning dedicated equipment to a client under contact precautions prevents cross-contamination with other patients. This intervention aligns with infection control guidelines and reduces the risk of spreading pathogens.