Question

A nurse is assessing a client who has a history of deep-vein thrombosis and is receiving warfarin. Which of the following findings should indicate to the nurse that the medication is effective?

A. Hemoglbin 14g/dL
B. Minimal bruising of extremities
C. Decreased blood pressure
D. INR 2.0

Answer 1

The indication that warfarin is effective for a patient with a history of deep-vein thrombosis is an INR value of 2.0. This means the medication is successfully thinning the blood to prevent excessive clotting, which is the desired therapeutic outcome.

Step-by-step explanation:

A nurse assessing a client who has a history of deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) and is receiving warfarin should look for an international normalized ratio (INR) within the therapeutic range to determine if the medication is effective. The INR is a calculation based on the prothrombin time (PT) and is used to monitor the effects of anticoagulants such as warfarin. The therapeutic range for warfarin treatment typically falls between an INR of 2.0 and 3.0, although the range may vary based on individual circumstances and the reasons for anticoagulation therapy. Therefore, if a nurse finds out that a client’s INR is 2.0, it should indicate that the medication is effective in preventing excessive blood clotting and maintaining the blood's ability to flow correctly. This is preferable to other findings such as hemoglobin of 14g/dL, minimal bruising, or decreased blood pressure, which do not directly measure the efficacy of warfarin.