Question

A client being treated with sodium warfarin (Coumadin) has a prothrombin time of 120 seconds. The nurse recognizes that:

Close assessment for signs of bleeding is needed.
The dosage of Coumadin is inadequate to prevent thrombi.
The client should limit the intake of foods rich in vitamin K.
Skipped doses should be made up by taking an additional dose.

Answer 1

Based on the prothrombin time of 120 seconds, the nurse recognizes that close assessment for signs of bleeding is needed.

Step-by-step explanation:

Based on the prothrombin time of 120 seconds, the nurse recognizes that close assessment for signs of bleeding is needed.

The prothrombin time (PT) test measures how long it takes for blood to clot. A normal PT range is typically between 11 and 13.5 seconds. A PT of 120 seconds is significantly prolonged, indicating that the blood is taking a much longer time to clot than normal.

This prolonged PT suggests that the client's blood is not clotting effectively, which can increase the risk of bleeding. Therefore, close assessment for signs of bleeding, such as easy bruising, bleeding gums, or nosebleeds, is necessary.