A patient has had recent mechanical heart valve surgery and is receiving anticoagulant therapy.While monitoring the patient's laboratory work,the nurse interprets that the patient's international normalized ratio (INR)level of 3 indicates that:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

An INR level of 3 is within the therapeutic range for a patient receiving anticoagulant therapy. The target INR range for patients with mechanical heart valves is typically between 2.5-3.5, although this may vary depending on the patient's individual circumstances. If the INR is below the therapeutic range, the patient may not be receiving enough anticoagulation and may be at risk for clotting. If the INR is above the therapeutic range, the patient may be at risk for bleeding. This question does not mention intravenous heparin, so options C and D can be eliminated.

A Patient Has Had Recent Mechanical Heart Valve Surgery and Is