A patient has been discontinued from warfarin (Coumadin) therapy ...

[cmoore54]

A patient has been discontinued from warfarin (Coumadin) therapy for 3 weeks. Which laboratory test indicates to the nurse that all effects of the warfarin have been eliminated?
 
  a. International normalized ratio (INR) of 0.9
  b. Red blood cell count of 5 million/mm3
  c. Hemoglobin of 16 g/dL
  d. Hematocrit of 42

Question 2

A patient has all of the following health problems and seasonal allergies. Which one must the nurse warn the patient can be made worse by over-the-counter antihistamines?
 
  a. Asthma
  b. Breast cancer
  c. Rheumatoid arthritis
  d. High blood pressure

[momtoalll]

Answer to Question 1

A
Warfarin therapy increases the INR, which normally ranges between 0.7 and 1.8 . Therapeutic warfarin levels should maintain the INR between 2.0 and 3.0 . When the effects of warfarin are no longer present, the INR returns to normal levels. Warfarin therapy does not affect white blood cell count, serum ferritin levels, or the reticulocyte count.

Answer to Question 2

D
When antihistamines bind to histamine receptors on blood vessels, they cause blood vessels to constrict. Blood vessel constriction raises blood pressure. When the patient already has high blood pressure, these drugs can make the problem worse.

[cmoore54]

TYSM

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Excellent