A client with a history of atrial fibrillation is prescribed warfarin. Which laboratory value should the nurse monitor to assess the medication’s effectiveness?

Platelet count

International normalized ratio (INR)

Hemoglobin level

Serum potassium

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

Choice A reason: Platelet count assesses bleeding risk but does not measure warfarin’s anticoagulant effect. Warfarin inhibits clotting factors, monitored by INR. Platelet counts are relevant for antiplatelet drugs, not anticoagulants, making INR the priority for evaluating warfarin efficacy in atrial fibrillation.

Choice B reason: INR measures warfarin’s anticoagulant effect by assessing prothrombin time, reflecting vitamin K-dependent clotting factor inhibition. In atrial fibrillation, therapeutic INR (2.0–3.0) prevents thromboembolism. Monitoring INR ensures effective anticoagulation, making it the critical lab value for warfarin therapy management.

Choice C reason: Hemoglobin level detects bleeding, a warfarin side effect, but does not assess its therapeutic effect. INR directly evaluates anticoagulation, ensuring stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation. Hemoglobin is secondary, monitored for complications, not efficacy, making INR the priority lab value.

Choice D reason: Serum potassium is unrelated to warfarin’s anticoagulant action. Electrolyte imbalances may affect cardiac rhythm in atrial fibrillation, but INR measures warfarin’s effect on clotting factors, ensuring therapeutic anticoagulation, making it the essential value to monitor for medication efficacy.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A reason: Hyperthyroidism increases metabolic rate, causing tachycardia and potential arrhythmias due to elevated thyroid hormone levels stimulating cardiac beta-receptors. Monitoring heart rate and rhythm is critical to detect cardiovascular complications, guiding urgent treatment to prevent heart failure or atrial fibrillation.

Choice B reason: High-calorie snacks address weight loss in hyperthyroidism but are secondary to cardiovascular risks. Tachycardia and arrhythmias pose immediate threats, making heart rate monitoring the priority, as uncontrolled hyperthyroidism can lead to life-threatening cardiac events before nutritional needs are addressed.

Choice C reason: Supplemental oxygen is not routinely needed in hyperthyroidism unless respiratory distress occurs, which is rare. Elevated heart rate and arrhythmias are more immediate concerns, as hyperthyroidism’s cardiac effects are primary, making heart monitoring critical to prevent acute cardiovascular complications.

Choice D reason: Restricting fluid intake is inappropriate, as hyperthyroidism increases metabolism, risking dehydration. Heart rate monitoring is prioritized, as tachycardia and arrhythmias are direct, life-threatening effects of excess thyroid hormone, requiring immediate assessment to guide antithyroid therapy and prevent cardiac crises.

A. Neutropenia B. Hypertension C. Hyperkalemia D. Weight gain

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A reason: Neutropenia, a low neutrophil count, is a common chemotherapy side effect due to bone marrow suppression, increasing infection risk. Monitoring neutrophil counts is critical, as infections in breast cancer patients can be life-threatening, making it the priority side effect to assess.

Choice B reason: Hypertension is not a typical chemotherapy side effect, though some agents cause cardiovascular effects. Neutropenia is more common, compromising immunity, making it the priority to monitor, as infections pose an immediate threat in breast cancer patients on chemotherapy.

Choice C reason: Hyperkalemia is rare with chemotherapy, except in tumor lysis syndrome. Neutropenia is a frequent side effect, increasing infection risk due to marrow suppression, making it the priority to monitor, as it directly impacts patient safety during breast cancer treatment.

Choice D reason: Weight gain is not a primary chemotherapy side effect; weight loss is more common due to nausea. Neutropenia is critical to monitor, as low neutrophils increase infection risk, requiring urgent intervention in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

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A client with a history of atrial fibrillation is prescribed warfarin. Which laboratory value should the nurse monitor to assess the medication’s effectiveness?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

The nurse is caring for a client with a new diagnosis of hyperthyroidism. Which intervention should the nurse prioritize?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

The nurse is caring for a client with a history of breast cancer who is receiving chemotherapy. Which side effect should the nurse monitor for?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

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