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 as a contraindication for receiving this treatment?

The correct answer is choice A. INR.

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.

Normal ranges:

• INR: 0.8-1.2
• Fibrinogen: 200-400 mg/dL
• aPTT: 25-35 seconds
• Platelet count: 150-450 x 10^9/L References:

Choice A reason:

"You might experience altered taste sensations" is the correct statement. When providing teaching to a client about to undergo external radiation therapy for cancer, the nurse should include information about potential side effects and what to expect during the treatment. One common side effect of radiation therapy, especially when the treatment is focused on or near the head and neck region, is altered taste sensations. Radiation can affect the taste buds and lead to changes in how foods taste.

Choice B reason:

"Use rubbing alcohol to remove the ink markings. “The statement is incorrect. The ink markings made on the client's skin are used as reference points for the radiation therapy treatment. It is essential not to remove these markings, as they are crucial for accurate positioning during each treatment session. The nurse should instruct the client not to tamper with the markings, and the radiation therapy team will remove them when they are no longer needed.

Choice C reason:

"Wear a binder over the radiation site." The statement is incorrect. Wearing a binder over the radiation site is not a standard practice during external radiation therapy. The client should be instructed to follow the specific guidelines provided by the radiation therapy team regarding clothing and positioning during treatments. The use of binders or other tight clothing over the treatment area may not be recommended, as it can cause discomfort or interfere with the delivery of radiation.

Choice D reason

"Wash your skin thoroughly with a washcloth after each treatment." Is incorrect statement. During radiation therapy, the skin in the treatment area can become sensitive. It is essential for the client to follow the specific instructions provided by the radiation therapy team regarding skin care. Generally, the client should avoid using harsh soaps or scrubbing the skin vigorously. Instead, they should gently cleanse the area with a mild soap or as directed by their healthcare providers.