A nurse in a provider’s office is caring for a client who asks about using acupuncture to manage his osteoarthritis pain.

The nurse should identify which of the following conditions is a contraindication for receiving this treatment.

The correct answer is choicea. Swelling of the face.

Choice A rationale:

Swelling of the face can be a sign of preeclampsia, a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention.Preeclampsia can lead to complications for both the mother and the baby if not managed properly.

Choice B rationale:

Urinary frequency is a common symptom during pregnancy due to hormonal changes and the growing uterus pressing on the bladder.It is generally not a cause for concern unless accompanied by other symptoms like pain or burning during urination.

Choice C rationale:

Faintness upon rising, also known as orthostatic hypotension, is common in pregnancy due to changes in blood circulation.It can often be managed by rising slowly and ensuring adequate hydration.

Choice D rationale:

Bleeding gums are common during pregnancy due to hormonal changes that increase blood flow to the gums, making them more sensitive and prone to bleeding.Good oral hygiene can help manage this symptom.

Warfarin is a vitamin K antagonist that inhibits the synthesis of factors II, VII, IX, and X in the liver. These factors are part of the extrinsic and common pathways of coagulation, which are measured by the prothrombin time (PT) and the international normalized ratio (INR). The INR is a standardized way of reporting the PT that accounts for the variability of different reagents and instruments. The INR is used to monitor the therapeutic effect of warfarin and to adjust the dose accordingly. The target INR range depends on the indication for warfarin, but it is usually between 2 and 3 for most conditions.

Choice B is wrong because fibrinogen level is not affected by warfarin.

Fibrinogen is a precursor of fibrin, which forms the final step of the coagulation cascade.

Fibrinogen level can be decreased in conditions such as disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), liver disease, or severe bleeding.

Choice C is wrong because aPTT is not affected by warfarin.

aPTT measures the intrinsic and common pathways of coagulation, which are mainly dependent on factors VIII, IX, XI, and XII.

These factors are not inhibited by warfarin.

aPTT is used to monitor the effect of heparin, a direct antithrombin agent that inhibits thrombin and factor Xa.

Choice D is wrong because platelet count is not affected by warfarin.

Platelets are cell fragments that adhere to damaged blood vessels and form aggregates to initiate hemostasis.

Platelet count can be decreased in conditions such as immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), or bone marrow suppression.