Question

C.C. is a 70-year-old male patient with a history of atrial fibrillation that is controlled with medication. His medication regimen also includes warfarin (Coumadin). His daughter has taken him to the Coumadin Clinic today, and she has several questions for the nurse.

1. C.C.’s daughter says, “I understand why my father takes a medication for his heart rhythm problems, but why does he need a blood thinner?” How will the nurse answer the daughter’s question?
2. C.C.’s daughter also asks about her father’s clotting times. The nurse states that the prothrombin time (PT) is 19 seconds, and the INR is 2.8. Are these values therapeutic? If the INR was 3.5 and J.C. showed signs of hemorrhage, what treatment would the nurse expect to be ordered?

Answer 1

1.people with atrial fibrillation has increased risk of developing a stroke.Due to this rhythm problem the blood coagulation factor gets increased thus blood clots forms and it enters blood stream thus it develops stroke.So blood thinners like warfarin is prescribed to prevent the formation of blood clots.

2.usually patients on warfarin should maintain INR level between 2-3 .If it is more than 3 it indicates the bleeding tendency increases hence nurse should inform physician and make changes in warfarin dose level.