A client with a deep vein thrombosis is prescribed to be started on oral warfarin (Coumadin) while still receiving intravenous heparin. What is the nurse's best action?
A. Administer the medications as prescribed.
B. Remind the physician that two anticoagulants should not be administered con-currently.
C. Hold the dose of warfarin until the client's partial thromboplastin time is the same as the control value.
D. Monitor the client for clinical manifestations of internal or external bleeding at least every two hours.
A
Although both heparin and warfarin are anticoagulants, they have different mechanisms of action and onsets of action. Because warfarin has such a slow onset, it must be started while the client is still receiving heparin.
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