The nurse is preparing to administer a client’s warfarin sodium 5 mg PO at 1900. Upon entering the client’s room, the nurse finds several large, new ecchymotic areas on the client’s extremities.
What should be the nurse’s initial action?
Hold the warfarin until the next day’s dose and notify the laboratory.
Administer the daily dose of warfarin and notify the healthcare provider so tomorrow’s dose can be adjusted.
Administer the daily dose of warfarin as these are the expected side effects of the medication.
Hold the warfarin until the healthcare provider is notified of the assessment findings.
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A rationale
While holding the warfarin and notifying the laboratory could be appropriate actions in some situations, they would not address the immediate concern of the large, new ecchymotic areas on the client’s extremities.
Choice B rationale
Administering the daily dose of warfarin and notifying the healthcare provider for a dose adjustment the next day could potentially exacerbate the bleeding risk, given the presence of the large, new ecchymotic areas.
Choice C rationale
Large, new ecchymotic areas are not expected side effects of warfarin. They could indicate a serious problem such as excessive anticoagulation.
Choice D rationale
The presence of large, new ecchymotic areas could indicate excessive anticoagulation, which is a serious complication of warfarin therapy. Therefore, holding the warfarin and notifying the healthcare provider of the assessment findings would be the most appropriate initial action.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Step 1 is to understand that a blood glucose level of 50 mg/dL is considered hypoglycemic. Immediate treatment is necessary to raise the blood glucose level.
Step 2 is to follow the 15-15 rule for treating hypoglycemia, which recommends consuming 15 grams of carbohydrates and then checking blood glucose levels after 15 minutes. Four ounces of orange juice contains about 15 grams of carbohydrates and can quickly raise blood glucose levels.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Diabetes mellitus can lead to several chronic complications, including retinopathy, which can cause blindness. Regular eye exams are crucial for early detection and treatment of diabetic retinopathy. Therefore, scheduling and keeping appointments for annual eye exams is an important part of managing diabetes.
Choice B rationale
While adequate fluid intake is generally important for overall health, it is not specifically effective in preventing kidney damage in patients with diabetes mellitus. Kidney damage in diabetes, also known as diabetic nephropathy, is caused by high blood sugar levels over time, not by dehydration.
Choice C rationale
Regular checks of cardiac enzymes are not a standard part of diabetes management. Cardiac enzymes are typically checked in the context of suspected heart disease or a heart attack, not as a routine measure in diabetes care.
Choice D rationale
While regular foot care is important in diabetes to prevent complications such as foot ulcers and infections, podiatry exams every 3 months are not typically necessary unless the patient has a history of foot problems or a high risk of foot complications.
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