A patient's diagnosis of atrial fibrillation has prompted the primary care provider to prescribe warfarin (Coumadin), an anticoagulant. When assessing the therapeutic response to this medication, what is the nurse's most appropriate action?
A) Assess for signs of myelosuppression.
B) Review the patient's platelet level.
C) Assess the patient's capillary refill time.
D) Review the patient's international normalized ratio (INR).
Ans: D
Feedback:
The INR and aPTT serve as useful screening tools for evaluating a patient's clotting ability and to monitor the therapeutic effectiveness of anticoagulant medications. The patient's platelet level is not normally used as a short-term indicator of anticoagulation effectiveness. Assessing the patient for signs of myelosuppression and capillary refill time does not address the effectiveness of anticoagulants.
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