Question

The nurse is reinforcing medication interactions with a client who is taking warfarin. Which over-the-counter (OTC) medication should the nurse remind the client to avoid?

A
Pantoprazole
B
Naproxen Correct Answer (Blank)
C
Acetaminophen
D
Diphenhydramine

Answer 1

Patients taking warfarin should avoid Naproxen, an NSAID, because it can increase the risk of bleeding. Acetaminophen may be a safer pain relief alternative. Pharmacogenomics can assist in optimizing warfarin dosage to prevent overdose.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse is reinforcing medication interactions with a client who is taking warfarin. The OTC medication that should be avoided is Naproxen. Warfarin is an anticoagulant, also known as a blood thinner, which is often prescribed to prevent blood clots that could lead to strokes or heart attacks. It is crucial for patients on warfarin to avoid nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as naproxen because they can increase the risk of bleeding.

NSAIDs and warfarin taken together can lead to stomach bleeding and enhanced anticoagulant effects, raising the risk of dangerous bleeding events. Acetaminophen, found in products like Tylenol, may be a safer alternative for pain relief as it has fewer effects on platelet aggregation and a lower risk of causing bleeding compared to NSAIDs.

Pharmacogenomics can play a crucial role in managing patients on warfarin by identifying genetic differences that affect individual responses to medications. This personalized medicine approach can help in determining the right dose of warfarin, minimizing the risk of overdose and adverse drug interactions.