A client takes warfarin (Coumadin) 15 mg po daily.
To evaluate the medication’s effectiveness, the nurse should monitor the:
A . prothrombin time (PT)
B . partial thromboplastin time (PTT)
C . PTT-C
D . Fibrin split products
Answer: A
Explanation:
(A) PT evaluates adequacy of extrinsic clotting pathway. Adequacy of warfarin therapy is monitored by PT.
(B) PTT evaluates adequacy of intrinsic clotting pathway. Adequacy of heparin therapy is monitored by PTT.
(C) There is no such laboratory test.
(D) Fibrin split products indicate fibrinolysis. This is a screening test for disseminated intravascular coagulation. Heparin therapy may increase fibrin split products.