Final answer:
The medication from the list that should be given with caution in patients taking blood thinners is toradol (ketorolac) because it is an NSAID that can increase the risk of bleeding. Others, like nubain, demerol, and fentanyl, are opioids with different side effect profiles and do not have the same bleeding risk as NSAIDs.
Step-by-step explanation:
The medication that should be given with caution in patients who are taking blood thinners is toradol (ketorolac). Toradol is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that can increase the risk of bleeding. Blood thinners, also known as anticoagulants, are designed to prevent and treat blood clots, but they also increase the risk of bleeding. When combined with NSAIDs like Toradol, the risk of bleeding can be further elevated.
As for the other medications listed:
- Nubain (nalbuphine) is an opioid pain medication which does not have a significant blood-thinning effect but must be used carefully because of other potential side effects.
- Demerol (meperidine) is another opioid, with not as high a bleeding risk as NSAIDs but still requires caution due to its side effect profile.
- Fentanyl is a very potent opioid pain reliever, but it is not typically associated with an increased risk of bleeding; however, it requires close monitoring due to its potency and the possibility of respiratory depression.
When considering pain management for patients on blood thinners, healthcare providers should carefully evaluate any potential interactions and side effects before administering medications like NSAIDs.