Which laboratory test should the postanesthesia care nurse monitor closely for a patient who is prescribed warfarin in the treatment of atrial fibrillation?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Warfarin is an anticoagulant medication that acts by inhibiting the synthesis of vitamin K-dependent clotting factors in the liver. Therefore, the PT time is the laboratory test that monitors the patient's response to warfarin therapy. The PT measures the time it takes for blood to clot and is expressed as an international normalized ratio (INR). The ideal target INR for a patient receiving warfarin for atrial fibrillation is 2.0-3.0. The postanesthesia care nurse should monitor the PT/INR closely to assess the patient's anticoagulant status and adjust the warfarin dose as needed based on the therapeutic range.

Which Laboratory Test Should the Postanesthesia Care Nurse Monitor Closely