A nurse is reviewing laboratory results for a client who is taking warfarin. Which of the following laboratory tests determines if the dose of medication is within the recommended target range?
Bleeding time
Factor VIII
aPTT
INR
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A reason: Bleeding time assesses platelet function, not warfarin’s anticoagulant effect. Warfarin inhibits vitamin K-dependent clotting factors, unrelated to platelets. Monitoring bleeding time does not reflect therapeutic anticoagulation levels, making it irrelevant for adjusting warfarin doses to prevent thrombosis or bleeding.
Choice B reason: Factor VIII, deficient in hemophilia A, is not affected by warfarin, which targets vitamin K-dependent factors (II, VII, IX, X). Measuring Factor VIII does not indicate warfarin’s efficacy, as it is unrelated to the drug’s mechanism, making it unsuitable for dose monitoring.
Choice C reason: aPTT monitors heparin’s effect on the intrinsic clotting pathway, not warfarin’s action on vitamin K-dependent factors. Warfarin requires INR for therapeutic monitoring, as aPTT is insensitive to its effects, making it inappropriate for assessing warfarin’s anticoagulation range in patients.
Choice D reason: INR standardizes prothrombin time, measuring warfarin’s effect on vitamin K-dependent clotting factors. It ensures therapeutic anticoagulation (e.g., INR 2-3), preventing thrombosis or bleeding. INR is the gold standard for warfarin monitoring, guiding dose adjustments for safe and effective therapy.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: Using gauze to cover an infant’s IV site obscures visualization, delaying detection of infiltration or infection. Transparent dressings are preferred, as infants’ small veins are prone to complications. Gauze increases risk by hiding signs like swelling, critical for early intervention in pediatric IV management.
Choice B reason: Monitoring an IV site every 8 hours is inadequate for infants, who need hourly checks due to small vein fragility and high infiltration risk. Frequent assessment detects complications like phlebitis or extravasation early, ensuring vascular integrity and preventing tissue damage in pediatric patients.
Choice C reason: Inserting an IV in the foot is less preferred, as scalp or hand veins are more accessible and stable in infants. Foot IVs risk dislodgement from movement and may impair circulation, increasing complications like tissue damage, making this a suboptimal choice for IV placement.
Choice D reason: A 24-gauge catheter is ideal for infants, as their small veins require smaller needles to minimize trauma and infiltration. This size ensures adequate fluid or medication delivery while reducing vascular damage, aligning with pediatric IV guidelines for safe and effective venous access.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: Administering atomoxetine, used for ADHD, is inappropriate for panic attacks, which require short-acting anxiolytics like benzodiazepines if medicated. This medication does not address acute anxiety and may worsen symptoms, making it incorrect and potentially harmful.
Choice B reason: Encouraging television watching may distract but does not address the acute distress of a panic attack. It lacks the calming, supportive presence needed to reduce anxiety, making it less effective and inappropriate compared to direct emotional support.
Choice C reason: Sitting with the client provides a calming presence, reducing fear and enhancing security during a panic attack. This therapeutic intervention supports emotional regulation and aligns with evidence-based anxiety management, making it the correct and most effective action.
Choice D reason: Instructing strenuous exercise during a panic attack can exacerbate symptoms like tachycardia and breathlessness, worsening anxiety. Calming techniques like deep breathing are preferred, so this action is counterproductive and potentially harmful, making it incorrect.
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