Question

While admitting a 42-yr-old patient with a possible brain injury to the emergency department (ED), the nurse obtains the following information. Which finding is most important to report to the health care provider?

A. The patient reports a severe dull headache.
B. The patient takes warfarin (Coumadin) daily.
C. The patient's blood pressure is 162/94 mm Hg.
D. The patient is unable to remember the accident.

Answer 1

The most significant finding to report is that the patient takes warfarin daily due to the increased risk of bleeding with a potential brain injury.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most important finding to report to the healthcare provider is B. The patient takes warfarin (Coumadin) daily. Warfarin is an anticoagulant medication that can increase the risk of bleeding, which is a critical concern if the patient has a brain injury. Uncontrolled bleeding in the brain can lead to severe complications, and the use of anticoagulants needs to be carefully managed in trauma cases. Options A, C, and D are also significant findings due to potential increased intracranial pressure, hypertension, and amnesia respectively; however, the immediate risk posed by the anticoagulant makes it the most critical to address instantly.