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A patient is prescribed Coumadin (warfarin) for anticoagulation therapy.

The patient's INR (International Normalized Ratio) is 2.5 and the desired range is 2-3. The medication order is for Coumadin 7.5 mg daily at 6 pm and comes in 5 mg tablets.

How many tablets should the nurse administer?
Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is ["1.5"]

Step 1 is: Calculate the number of tablets needed. 7.5 mg ÷ (5 mg/tablet) = 1.5 tablets.


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Related Questions

Correct Answer is {"dropdown-group-1":"C","dropdown-group-2":"E"}

Explanation

The client is at highest risk for developing Pneumocystis pneumonia due to their CD4 T-cell count.

  • Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) is an opportunistic infection commonly seen in clients with AIDS, especially when the CD4 T-cell count drops below 200/mm³.
  • This client’s CD4 count is around 198–200/mm³, placing them at high risk for PCP.
  • Respiratory findings and oxygen saturation may help identify existing pneumonia but do not explain the risk as directly as CD4 count.
  • Diarrhea and potassium level relate more to hydration and electrolyte balance, not directly to the risk of PCP.
  • Impaired gas exchange or cardiac dysrhythmias are possible complications but secondary to infection risk from low immunity.

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A rationale

Checking blood pressure is a routine vital sign assessment but does not directly address the immediate and life-threatening implications of severe hyperkalemia. While hypertension can be associated with renal disease, a potassium level of 6.8 mEq/L (normal range 3.5-5.0 mEq/L) requires urgent intervention to prevent cardiac dysrhythmias, which are a direct consequence of altered myocardial excitability.

Choice B rationale

Obtaining a serum sodium level is important for a comprehensive electrolyte assessment in ESRD, as hyponatremia or hypernatremia can also occur. However, sodium imbalances do not pose the same immediate, life-threatening cardiac risk as severe hyperkalemia. The priority is to address the critical potassium elevation to stabilize myocardial electrical activity.

Choice C rationale

Instructing the client to avoid high-potassium foods is a crucial long-term management strategy for hyperkalemia in ESRD. However, for an acute potassium level of 6.8 mEq/L, dietary modification alone will not rapidly lower the potassium to a safe range and address the immediate risk of cardiac arrest. Acute medical interventions are required.

Choice D rationale

Redrawing the potassium to verify results is the most appropriate initial action. A critically high potassium level, especially if unexpected or inconsistent with the client's current clinical status, warrants immediate confirmation. Laboratory errors can occur, and verifying the result ensures that subsequent potentially aggressive medical interventions are based on accurate data.

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