Hesi Cat
Hesi Cat ( 79 Questions)
A client who was recently diagnosed with atrial fibrillation is receiving warfarin. To see the drug's effectiveness, which laboratory finding should the practical nurse (PN) review?
A complete blood count (CBC) is important for monitoring various aspects of the blood, including the number of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. While important for assessing overall health, a CBC is not the primary laboratory finding used to assess the effectiveness of warfarin in managing atrial fibrillation.
Serum troponin levels are typically measured to assess cardiac muscle damage, such as in myocardial infarction (heart attack). They are not the primary indicator for assessing the effectiveness of warfarin in atrial fibrillation.
Creatinine clearance is a measure of kidney function and is not the primary laboratory finding used to evaluate the effectiveness of warfarin.
Prothrombin time (PT) is the most relevant laboratory finding for monitoring the effectiveness of warfarin in clients with atrial fibrillation. Warfarin's therapeutic effect is primarily assessed through PT measurements, with the goal of maintaining the client's international normalized ratio (INR) within a specific target range to prevent excessive bleeding or clotting.
Choice A: A complete blood count (CBC) is important for monitoring various aspects of the blood, including the number of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. While important for assessing overall health, a CBC is not the primary laboratory finding used to assess the effectiveness of warfarin in managing atrial fibrillation.
Choice B: Serum troponin levels are typically measured to assess cardiac muscle damage, such as in myocardial infarction (heart attack). They are not the primary indicator for assessing the effectiveness of warfarin in atrial fibrillation.
Choice C: Creatinine clearance is a measure of kidney function and is not the primary laboratory finding used to evaluate the effectiveness of warfarin.
Choice D: Prothrombin time (PT) is the most relevant laboratory finding for monitoring the effectiveness of warfarin in clients with atrial fibrillation. Warfarin's therapeutic effect is primarily assessed through PT measurements, with the goal of maintaining the client's international normalized ratio (INR) within a specific target range to prevent excessive bleeding or clotting.