A nurse in the PACU is caring for a client who received isoflurane. Which of the following assessments is the nurse's priority?

A. Hemoglobin level: The hemoglobin level measures the amount of hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells, in the blood. Warfarin is not directly responsible for increasing or decreasing the hemoglobin level. While warfarin can lead to bleeding complications in some cases, it does not specifically target the hemoglobin level, so it is not a direct indicator of the medication's effectiveness.

B. Platelet count: The platelet count measures the number of platelets in the blood, which are essential for blood clotting. Warfarin does not directly affect platelet production or count. It works by inhibiting the production of certain clotting factors, not by affecting platelets. Monitoring the platelet count is important, but it is not an indicator of warfarin's effectiveness in preventing excessive clotting.

C. Prothrombin time (PT) or activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT): Prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) are coagulation tests used to assess different types of anticoagulant medications, such as heparin. Warfarin's effect is measured using the International Normalized Ratio (INR). PT and aPTT are not specific to warfarin therapy and are not used to monitor its effectiveness. The INR is the appropriate laboratory test for assessing the efficacy of warfarin therapy.

D. International Normalized Ratio (INR): This is the correct answer. The International Normalized Ratio (INR) is the laboratory test used to monitor the effectiveness of warfarin therapy. The INR measures the time it takes for the blood to clot and reflects the anticoagulant effect of warfarin. A therapeutic INR within the target range (e.g., INR = 2.0 to 3.0 for most indications) indicates that warfarin has been effective in preventing excessive clotting and reducing the risk of complications associated with blood clots.

When a medication error occurs, the nurse should report the incident to the nurse manager or appropriate supervisor. It is essential to follow the facility's policies and procedures for reporting and managing medication errors. Prompt reporting allows for appropriate investigation, documentation, and implementation of necessary measures to prevent future errors.

Documenting that the pharmacy sent the incorrect medication (B) is not appropriate in this situation, as it does not address the nurse's role and responsibility in the error. Reporting the incident is the primary action required.

Contacting the provider to change the client's prescription (C) is not necessary in this case, as the error was related to the medication selection during administration, not an issue with the prescription itself.

Placing the unwrapped celecoxib back into the AMDS (D) is not appropriate. Once a medication has been removed from its packaging or container, it should not be returned to the dispensing system. Additionally, since it was the wrong medication for the client, it should not be administered.

Therefore, the nurse should primarily report the incident to the nurse manager or appropriate supervisor to ensure appropriate handling of the medication error.