The nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client with a new prescription for warfarin. The nurse should instruct the client to avoid excess or inconsistent intake of which foods? Select all that apply.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

11ecbb05_cc68_bed7_b433_eb63f5d8eea4_MD0009_00 Warfarin (Coumadin) is a vitamin K antagonist used to prevent blood clots in clients with atrial fibrillation, artificial heart valves, or a history of thrombosis. Excessive intake of vitamin K-rich foods (eg, broccoli, spinach, liver) can decrease the anticoagulant effects of warfarin therapy (Options B, C, and E). Clients should be consistent with intake of foods high in vitamin K after initiation of warfarin because dosing is individualized to the client and dietary changes may require dose adjustment. (Options A and D) Bananas and oranges are rich in potassium, not vitamin K, and are not known to interact with warfarin. The chemical symbol for potassium (K⁺) should not be confused with vitamin K because they are two different micronutrients; potassium (K⁺) is an element involved in muscle contraction, whereas vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin involved in blood clotting. Educational objective: Clients receiving warfarin therapy should maintain consistent intake of foods high in vitamin K; it is not necessary to remove vitamin K-rich foods completely. Clients should avoid excess or inconsistent intake of green vegetables (eg, broccoli, spinach) and liver to promote steady warfarin efficacy.

The Nurse Is Providing Discharge Teaching to a Client with a New