During postoperative teaching with a patient who had a mitral valve replacement with a mechanical valve, the nurse instructs the patient regarding the

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Anticoagulation with warfarin (Coumadin) is needed for a patient with mechanical valves to prevent clotting on the valve; this will require frequent international normalized ratio (INR) testing. Daily aspirin use will not be effective in reducing risk for clots on the valve. Mechanical valves are durable and would last longer than 7 to 10 years. Monitoring of the radial pulse is not necessary after valve replacement.

During Postoperative Teaching with a Patient Who Had a Mitral