Question

The client is scheduled to receive Coumadin (an anticoagulant) at 9:00 AM. His morning laboratory results show him to have a high partial thromboplastin time (PTT). His nurse decides to withhold the Coumadin. Which step of the implementation process is she using?

1. Reassessing the client
2. Stating an expected outcome
3. Revising the nursing diagnosis
4. Modifying the nursing care plan

Answer 1

The nurse's action of withholding Coumadin due to a high PTT is an example of modifying the nursing care plan, an essential step to ensure patient safety in anticoagulant therapy.

Step-by-step explanation:

When the nurse decides to withhold the drug Coumadin due to a high partial thromboplastin time (PTT), the step of the implementation process she is using is modifying the nursing care plan. This is because the PTT indicates the anticoagulation level and a high value could mean the patient is at risk for bleeding. By reviewing the laboratory results and deciding not to administer the medication, the nurse is actively intervening to prevent a potential adverse outcome.

To clarify, Coumadin is an anticoagulant used to prevent blood clots. Correct dosage is crucial, as an overdose can be dangerous. Pharmacogenomics plays a key role by potentially assisting in personalizing medication doses based on an individual's genetic makeup, therefore reducing the risk of overdose.