The nurse calls a patient at home with the laboratory results from his visit of earlier in the day. Based on a review of these results, what does the nurse expect the healthcare provider to advise? $$\begin{array}{l}

\begin{array} { | l | l| }
\hline \text { Laboratory }\
\text { Results } & \
\hline \text { PT (prothrombin) } & \begin{array} { l }
\text { Within } \
\text { therapeutic } \
\text { range }
\end{array} \
\hline \text { INR } & 2.4 \
\hline
\end{array}
\end{array}$$

Question

The nurse calls a patient at home with the laboratory results from his visit of earlier in the day. Based on a review of these results, what does the nurse expect the healthcare provider to advise? $$\begin{array}{l}

\begin{array} { | l | l| } 
\hline \text { Laboratory }\
\text { Results } & \
\hline \text { PT (prothrombin) } & \begin{array} { l } 
\text { Within } \
\text { therapeutic } \
\text { range }
\end{array} \
\hline \text { INR } & 2.4 \
\hline
\end{array}
\end{array}$$

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The INR value of 2.4 indicates that the patient's blood is within the therapeutic range, but on the higher end. Therefore, the healthcare provider is likely to advise maintaining the same daily dose of warfarin (Coumadin). Option A is not correct because heparin is not mentioned in the laboratory results. Option C is not correct because increasing the dose of warfarin (Coumadin) can put the patient at risk of bleeding. Option D is not correct because stopping warfarin (Coumadin) abruptly can increase the risk of blood clots.

The Nurse Calls a Patient at Home with the Laboratory