Question

What are the laboratory results to report for medications affecting coagulation?

1) Increased prothrombin time (PT)
2) Decreased platelet count
3) Elevated international normalized ratio (INR)
4) All of the above

Answer 1

Increased PT, decreased platelet count, and elevated INR are all important laboratory results to report when analyzing the effects of medications on coagulation, reflecting a slower clotting process and potential changes in platelet activity.

Step-by-step explanation:

Medications that affect coagulation can alter several laboratory test results. Increased prothrombin time (PT), decreased platelet count, and elevated international normalized ratio (INR) are key laboratory results to report when assessing the impact of such medications. The liver produces vital coagulation factors, and if liver function is impaired, or if anticoagulant medications are in use, these test results can be significantly affected. The Increased PT and elevated INR results indicate a slower coagulation process, which can signal inadequate production of coagulation factors such as prothrombin or an intended therapeutic effect of anticoagulant drugs like Coumadin. Anticoagulants like heparin work by blocking various coagulation factors, which can be monitored through these tests. Moreover, a decrease in platelets can be caused by drugs that suppress or damage bone marrow or by immune-mediated processes.