Your client has been prescribed warfarin for the prevention of blood clots due to atrial fibrillation. Which statement by the client shows that the client understands their medication.
"If I miss a dose of my medication I can just double up the next day."
"I will eat broccoli and collard greens three times a week and I can have extra helpings to improve my iron intake."
"I will need to get frequent blood work to check the INR level, that shows if this medication is at the right dose."
"I should eat 1-2 bananas a day because this medication can cause me to loose potassium through my urine."
The Correct Answer is C
A. "If I miss a dose of hy medication I can just double up the next day.": Doubling the dose of an anticoagulant like warfarin significantly increases the risk of life-threatening hemorrhage. Because warfarin has a narrow therapeutic index and a long half-life, sudden changes in dosing lead to unpredictable fluctuations in the INR. Patients should be instructed to take the missed dose as soon as remembered or skip it entirely as directed.
B. "I will eat broccoli and collard greens three times a week and I can have extra helpings to improve my iron intake.": Broccoli and collard greens are extremely rich in Vitamin K, which functions as the direct physiological antagonist to warfarin. Increasing the intake of these vegetables will lower the INR and render the anticoagulant therapy ineffective, increasing the risk of stroke. Patients must maintain a consistent, stable intake of Vitamin K rather than increasing it.
C. "I will need to get frequent blood work to check the INR level, that shows if this medication is at the right dose.": The International Normalized Ratio (INR) is the standardized laboratory measurement used to monitor the effectiveness of warfarin therapy. Regular testing is essential to ensure the patient remains within the target therapeutic range, usually between 2 and 3 for atrial fibrillation. This statement confirms the patient understands the necessity of ongoing clinical monitoring for safety.
D. "I should eat 1-2 bananas a day because this medication can cause me to loose potassium through my urine.": Warfarin does not affect renal tubular function or cause the excretion of electrolytes like potassium. This instruction is relevant for patients taking loop or thiazide diuretics, but it has no pharmacological basis for those on anticoagulant therapy. This statement indicates a confusion between the side effects of diuretics and those of vitamin K antagonists.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["A","B","D"]
Explanation
A. Bronchospasm: Non-selective beta-blockers inhibit beta-2 receptors located in the bronchial smooth muscle, leading to unintended constriction of the airways. This physiological response significantly increases airway resistance and can trigger acute respiratory distress in patients with underlying asthma or COPD. Clinicians must exercise extreme caution when prescribing these agents to individuals with reactive airway diseases.
B. Bradycardia: Beta-adrenoceptor antagonists decrease the firing rate of the sinoatrial node and slow conduction through the atrioventricular node. This negative chronotropic effect results in a reduced heart rate, which is a primary pharmacological action of the drug class. Excessive blockade can lead to symptomatic bradycardia, requiring a dose adjustment or discontinuation to maintain adequate cardiac output.
C. Hyperglycemia: Beta-blockers do not typically cause an elevation in blood glucose levels as a primary adverse effect. Instead, they are known to mask the sympathetic symptoms of hypoglycemia, such as tachycardia and tremors, which can be dangerous for diabetic patients. They may also slightly impair insulin release, but they are not categorized as hyper-glycemic agents.
D. Fatigue: The reduction in cardiac output and the blockade of peripheral beta-receptors often lead to a profound sense of lethargy or exercise intolerance. Patients frequently report feeling tired because the heart cannot increase its rate sufficiently to meet increased metabolic demands during physical activity. This is one of the most common reasons for patient non-compliance with beta-blocker therapy.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Troponin levels will always be elevated: Troponin is a biomarker for myocardial necrosis and cell death, which does not occur in stable angina. In stable angina, the ischemia is transient and reversible, meaning cardiac enzymes typically remain within normal limits. Elevated troponin levels are diagnostic of an acute myocardial infarction rather than angina.
B. The pain is sharp and last for hours, usually radiating down the left leg: Anginal pain is characteristically described as a dull, crushing, or squeezing pressure in the substernal region. It typically lasts only a few minutes and may radiate to the left arm, neck, or jaw, but not the leg. Prolonged pain lasting for hours suggests a more serious acute coronary syndrome.
C. The pain is predictable with exertion and is relieved by rest or nitroglycerin: Stable angina follows a consistent pattern where chest discomfort is triggered by specific levels of physical activity or emotional stress. The increased myocardial demand is eased once the activity stops or when nitroglycerin causes coronary vasodilation. This predictability is the defining feature that differentiates it from unstable angina.
D. Pain occurs at rest and is relieved by nitroglycerin: Pain that occurs without exertion or while the patient is resting is classified as unstable angina or Prinzmetal's angina. This represents a more dangerous clinical state where blood flow is compromised even at baseline. Stable angina requires an external stressor to trigger the imbalance in oxygen supply.
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