Final answer:
As a nurse, you should monitor INR levels, bleeding, and medication adherence when someone is taking oral anticoagulants.
Step-by-step explanation:
When someone is taking oral anticoagulants, as a nurse, you should monitor several things:
- INR levels: The international normalized ratio (INR) measures the speed of coagulation and indicates how long it takes for blood to clot. It is important to monitor INR levels regularly to ensure that the dosage of the anticoagulant is appropriate.
- Bleeding: Since anticoagulants prevent blood clotting, patients taking them may be at a higher risk of bleeding. As a nurse, you should monitor for signs of bleeding such as easy bruising, prolonged bleeding from cuts, or blood in the urine or stool.
- Medication adherence: It is important to ensure that the patient is taking their oral anticoagulant medication as prescribed. Non-adherence can increase the risk of blood clots or other complications.