Question

A nurse is teaching a client about warfarin. The client asks if they can take aspirin while taking the warfarin. Which of the following responses should the nurse make?

A. It is safe to take an enteric-coated aspirin
B. Aspirin will increase age risk of bleeding.
C. Acetaminophen may be substituted for aspirin.
D. The INR lab work must be monitored more frequently if aspirin is taken.

Answer 1

The nurse should warn the client that aspirin can increase the risk of bleeding when taken with warfarin and may suggest acetaminophen as an alternative. If aspirin is essential, INR monitoring is crucial.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should inform the client that taking aspirin while on warfarin can increase the risk of bleeding. Aspirin is an anticoagulant that inhibits platelet aggregation; therefore, combining it with warfarin could lead to serious bleeding complications. In lieu of aspirin, acetaminophen may be offered as an alternative because it lacks the antiplatelet effects, though it does not provide the same anticoagulant benefits. For those instances when aspirin use is necessary, additional monitoring of INR levels would be essential to maintain therapeutic warfarin anticoagulation and minimize bleeding risk.