Question

A nurse is reinforcing teaching for a client who has a new prescription for warfarin. Which of the following information should the nurse include?

A. Mild nosebleeds are common during initial treatment. Rationale: Warfarin, an anticoagulant, increases the client's risk for bleeding. The nurse should instruct the client to stop the medication and notify the provider if bleeding occurs.
B. The client should use an electric razor while on this medication. Rationale: Warfarin, an anticoagulant, increases the client's risk for bleeding. The nurse should teach the client safety measures, such as using an electric razor, to decrease the risk for injury and bleeding.
C. If he misses a dose, he should double the dose at the next scheduled time. Rationale: Warfarin, an anticonvulsant, should be taken at the same time each day and the client should not adjust the dose. Doubling a dose increases the client's risk for bleeding.
D. Warfarin increases the risk for deep vein thrombosis. Rationale: Warfarin, an anticoagulant, is a medication for the prophylaxis and treatment of deep vein thrombosis.

Answer 1

The client on warfarin should use an electric razor to reduce bleeding risk. It's incorrect to double a missed dose or to say warfarin increases DVT risk. Pharmacogenomics may guide individualized warfarin dosing.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should include that the client should use an electric razor while on warfarin. Warfarin is an anticoagulant, meaning it helps prevent blood clots. As such, it increases the client's risk for bleeding. Therefore, the client should take precautions such as using an electric razor to avoid cuts and reduce the risk of bleeding. If the client does experience any bleeding, they should contact their healthcare provider immediately. It's important to note that clients should never double the dose if a dose is missed, as this could significantly increase the risk of bleeding.

Moreover, warfarin does not increase the risk for deep vein thrombosis (DVT); it is prescribed to prevent and treat DVT. Warfarin therapy requires careful monitoring, as its effectiveness can be influenced by factors including diet, other medications, and individual genetic variations that affect drug metabolism. In some cases, pharmacogenomics can be used to tailor warfarin dosing to the individual's genetic makeup to reduce the risk of overdose and achieve optimal therapeutic effects.