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Diagnosis and treatment
Diagnosis and treatment ( 6 Questions)
A nurse is caring for a client who has been prescribed warfarin for atrial fibrillation. Which of the following laboratory tests should the nurse monitor to assess the effectiveness of the medication?
Prothrombin time (PT) is a measure of how long it takes for blood to clot. Warfarin is an anticoagulant that prolongs the PT and prevents blood clots from forming. The nurse should monitor the PT and adjust the warfarin dose accordingly to maintain a therapeutic range.
Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT): aPTT is another measure of blood clotting time, but it is used to monitor heparin therapy, not warfarin therapy.
Platelet count is a measure of how many platelets are in the blood. Platelets are involved in blood clotting, but they are not affected by warfarin therapy.
Haemoglobin level is a measure of how much oxygen-carrying protein is in the blood. Haemoglobin level can be affected by bleeding or anaemia, but it is not directly related to warfarin therapy.
Prothrombin time (PT) is a measure of how long it takes for blood to clot. Warfarin is an anticoagulant that prolongs the PT and prevents blood clots from forming. The nurse should monitor the PT and adjust the warfarin dose accordingly to maintain a therapeutic range.
Incorrect choices:
b) Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT): aPTT is another measure of blood clotting time, but it is used to monitor heparin therapy, not warfarin therapy.
c) Platelet count: Platelet count is a measure of how many platelets are in the blood. Platelets are involved in blood clotting, but they are not affected by warfarin therapy.
d) Hemoglobin level: Hemoglobin level is a measure of how much oxygen-carrying protein is in the blood. Haemoglobin level can be affected by bleeding or anaemia, but it is not directly related to warfarin therapy.