A nurse is assessing a preoperative client. The client has a history of atrial fibrillation and is taking warfarin daily. Which test order will the nurse request from the provider?

A serum sodium (Na)

A radiological examination of the chest

A blood urea nitrogen (BUN)

An international normalized ratio (INR)

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

A.   Serum sodium levels are typically assessed to evaluate electrolyte balance and hydration status. While important for overall health assessment, it is not specifically related to monitoring the effects of warfarin therapy.
B.   This could be ordered for various reasons such as assessing lung status or identifying any abnormalities in the chest. It is not directly related to monitoring warfarin therapy.
C.   BUN levels are measured to assess kidney function and hydration status. While important for overall health assessment, it is not specifically related to monitoring the effects of warfarin therapy.
D.   The INR is a standardized measurement of the blood's ability to clot. Warfarin works by inhibiting vitamin K-dependent clotting factors, thereby prolonging the time it takes for blood to clot. The INR is used to monitor and adjust warfarin dosage to maintain therapeutic anticoagulation levels, especially in patients with conditions like atrial fibrillation who are at risk of blood clots.

Nursing Test Bank

Quiz #1: RN Exams Pharmacology Exams Quiz #2: RN Exams Medical-Surgical Exams Quiz #3: RN Exams Fundamentals Exams Quiz #4: RN Exams Maternal-Newborn Exams Quiz #5: RN Exams Anatomy and Physiology Exams Quiz #6: RN Exams Obstetrics and Pediatrics Exams Quiz #7: RN Exams Fluid and Electrolytes Exams Quiz #8: RN Exams Community Health Exams Quiz #9: RN Exams Promoting Health across the lifespan Exams Quiz #10: RN Exams Multidimensional care Exams

Get 100+ Naxlex Exit Exams for $79 Try Naxlex NCLEX-RN (14 Day Free-Trial)

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Quiz #1: Naxlex RN Comprehensive online practice 2019 B with NGN Quiz #2: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Quiz #3: Naxlex RN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 Exit Exam A Quiz #4: Naxlex HESI Exit LPN Exam Quiz #5: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor PN 2020 Quiz #6: Naxlex VATI PN Comprehensive Predictor 2020 Quiz #8: Naxlex PN Comprehensive Predictor 2023 - Exam 1 Quiz #10: Naxlex HESI PN Exit exam Quiz #11: Naxlex HESI PN EXIT Exam 2

Free Nursing Study Resources

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A. Hemoglobin levels are important for assessing oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. While anemia can affect tissue oxygenation and exacerbate symptoms in heart failure, it is not directly related to the risk of digoxin toxicity.
B. Creatinine levels are used to assess kidney function. Impaired kidney function can affect the clearance of digoxin from the body, potentially increasing the risk of toxicity. However, potassium levels have a more direct impact on the risk of digoxin toxicity.
C. BUN levels are also used to assess kidney function. Similar to creatinine, impaired kidney function can affect digoxin clearance, but potassium levels are more directly related to the risk of digoxin toxicity.
D. Potassium levels are critical because hypokalemia (low potassium) can predispose the client to digoxin toxicity. Digoxin competes with potassium for binding sites on the sodium-potassium ATPase pump in cardiac cells. When potassium levels are low, digoxin can bind more readily to these pumps, leading to increased toxicity and potentially life-threatening arrhythmias such as ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation.

A. "It measures deficiencies in clotting factors." B. "If my levels are too low, I am at an increased risk for bleeding." C. "I will need to skip breakfast until after the test is complete." D. "This test will help my provider adjust my warfarin dosages."

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A. It is particularly sensitive to deficiencies in clotting factors, but it does not measure the deficiencies themselves
B. The activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) test measures the effectiveness of the intrinsic and common pathways of the coagulation cascade.
C. There is no need to skip breakfast or alter diet for an aPTT test. It is not affected by food intake or fasting status.

D. While aPTT is used to monitor heparin therapy, it is not typically used to monitor warfarin (a vitamin K antagonist) therapy. Warfarin therapy is usually monitored using the prothrombin time (PT) and international normalized ratio (INR) tests.

View Question and Answer

Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.

Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today

A nurse is assessing a preoperative client. The client has a history of atrial fibrillation and is taking warfarin daily. Which test order will the nurse request from the provider?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is planning to administer digoxin to a client who has heart failure. Which of the following laboratory results is the priority for the nurse to review prior to administering the medication?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A nurse is teaching a client scheduled for an activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT). Which of the following statements by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A nurse is preparing a client for a hip arthroplasty. For which of the following reasons should the nurse assess the client's vital signs?

A nurse is admitting a client who has gastroenteritis and is reporting numbness and tingling of the toes and fingers. The nurse should recognize the client is experiencing which of the following acid-base imbalances?

A nurse is caring for a client who is well-hydrated and who demonstrates no evidence of anemia. Which of the following laboratory values gives the nurse an assessment of the adequacy of the client's protein uptake and synthesis?

A nurse is caring for a client 8 hr postoperative following a total knee replacement. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

A nurse is providing instruction to a new nurse about caring for clients who are receiving diuretic therapy to treat having actions should the nurse explain that which of the following medications puts clients at risk for both hyperkalemia and hyponatremia?

Which of the following post-surgical clients warrant an immediate follow up by the nurse? (Select all that apply.)

A nurse is reviewing a client's CBC findings and discovers that the client's platelet count is 9,000/mm3. The nurse should monitor the client for which of the following conditions?

A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving a continuous IV infusion of heparin. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?