The nurse has administered warfarin 2.5 mg orally daily for three days to a client who has deep vein thrombosis. The client's International Normalized Ratio (INR) today is 5.0. The nurse notifies the healthcare provider because today's dose of the medication should be:
Switched to heparin.
Given as prescribed.
Increased.
Held.
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A Reason:
Switching to heparin is not the standard response for a high INR. Heparin may be used in conjunction with warfarin when starting anticoagulation therapy, but it is not typically used as a substitute in response to an elevated INR.
Choice B Reason:
Giving the dose as prescribed would not be appropriate when the INR is significantly above the therapeutic range. Continuing the same dose could increase the risk of bleeding complications.
Choice C Reason:
Increasing the dose would be contraindicated as the INR is already too high. Increasing the warfarin dose would further elevate the INR and increase the risk of bleeding.
Choice D Reason:
Holding the dose is the correct action when the INR is significantly above the therapeutic range, which is generally between 2.0 to 3.0 for most indications. The healthcare provider should be notified, and the warfarin dose should be held until the INR returns to the therapeutic range. Vitamin K may also be administered to help lower the INR more quickly if necessary.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A Reason
Running the bag under warm water to melt the globules is not recommended. Applying heat could compromise the sterility and integrity of the solution. TPN solutions are carefully balanced and sterile, and any manipulation involving temperature changes could lead to contamination or nutrient degradation.
Choice B Reason
Observing fat globules at the top of the TPN solution is a sign that the emulsion may be compromised. The nurse should not administer this TPN solution and should call the pharmacy for a replacement. TPN solutions should be homogenous with no visible separation or fat globules to ensure the patient receives the correct nutrition and to prevent complications.
Choice C Reason
Doing nothing is not an appropriate action. Fat globules indicate that the solution has separated, which can lead to an unstable emulsion and potential harm if infused. The nurse's responsibility is to ensure the safety and efficacy of the treatment, which includes verifying that TPN solutions are properly mixed.
Choice D Reason
Rolling the bag gently to redistribute the fat is not a safe practice. While gentle agitation can be used for some medications, it is not appropriate for TPN solutions with visible fat globules. This could further destabilize the emulsion and does not address the underlying issue of separation.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A Reason:
A positive pregnancy test is crucial information that must be reported immediately as it has significant implications for the patient's health and treatment options. Pregnancy can impact the results of a Schilling's test, which is used to diagnose B12 deficiency anemia, as pregnancy itself can cause changes in B12 metabolism. Therefore, the healthcare provider must be informed to adjust the diagnostic approach and ensure the safety of both the mother and the developing fetus.
Choice B Reason:
While a hemoglobin level of 9.5 g/dL is below the normal range for adult females (11.6 to 15 g/dL) and a hematocrit of 32% is at the lower end of the normal range (36% to 44%)[^10^], these results are consistent with anemia but are not as immediately critical as a positive pregnancy test in the context of a Schilling's test.
Choice C Reason:
A glycosylated hemoglobin (A1c) level of 7.5% is above the normal range (4% to 5.9%), indicating poor blood sugar control over the past two to three months, which could suggest diabetes or prediabetes. However, this is not as urgent as a positive pregnancy test when considering the administration of a Schilling's test.
Choice D Reason:
A serum cholesterol level of 237 mg/dL is considered borderline high (200 to 239 mg/dL), which may increase the risk of heart disease over time. However, this does not require immediate reporting in the context of a Schilling's test for B12 deficiency anemia as compared to a positive pregnancy test.
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