A patient is being discharged from the health care facility following surgical replacement of a mitral valve with a mechanical valve. The patient asks the nurse how much longer he will need to take warfarin (Coumadin)
What is the nurse's best response? 1. "You will be on it for the rest of your life because you have a mechanical valve.".
2. "That will depend on your surgeon. Ask at your office visit.".
3. "You will need to take it until the valve covers over with tissue.".
4. "Your surgeon will help wean you off the warfarin in about 3 months.".
1
Rationale 1: Long-term anticoagulation is necessary with a mechanical prosthetic valve, due to the risk of development of clots on the valve.
Rationale 2: This statement gives false reassurance to the patient and does not answer the question.
Rationale 3: There is no expectation that the valve will cover over with tissue.
Rationale 4: The patient will not be taken off anticoagulants in 3 months. There is no reason to wean the patient from warfarin.
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