Final answer:
The two tests to monitor for a patient on Warfarin are Prothrombin Time (PT) and International Normalized Ratio (INR). PT assesses the clotting time of blood, and INR standardizes PT results for consistent interpretation.
Step-by-step explanation:
For a patient currently on Warfarin, two important coagulation tests should be monitored: Prothrombin Time (PT) and International Normalized Ratio (INR). These tests are crucial for managing Warfarin therapy and ensuring the effectiveness and safety of the medication.
PT is a test that measures the time it takes for a person's blood to clot. It specifically evaluates the extrinsic pathway of coagulation, which is one of the pathways Warfarin affects.
The INR is a standardized measure of PT that accounts for differences between testing methods, making it possible to compare results from different laboratories. An increased INR indicates a longer clotting time, signifying that blood is taking longer to clot, which can be a goal of Warfarin therapy to prevent thrombotic events.