The nurse caring for a patient who is taking Coumadin (warfarin)recognizes that treatment is effective based on which of the following lab results?

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Coumadin (warfarin) is an anticoagulant medication that works by inhibiting the production of vitamin K-dependent clotting factors (such as prothrombin) in the liver. Monitoring the PT is a common way to assess the effectiveness and safety of Coumadin therapy. The therapeutic range for PT with Coumadin is typically between 2.0 and 3.0 times the normal range (with 1.0 being the normal range). A PT of 18 seconds falls within this therapeutic range and indicates that the patient's coagulation time is appropriate for their medical condition. Platelet count, potassium, and aPTT are not directly affected by Coumadin therapy and are not reliable indicators of its effectiveness.

The Nurse Caring for a Patient Who Is Taking Coumadin