A nurse is caring for a client who has a deep vein thrombosis, who received IV heparin for the past 5 days, and now has a new prescription for oral warfarin in addition to the heparin. The client asks the nurse if both medications are necessary. Which of the following is an appropriate response by the nurse?

A) Ask the client to rate her pain on a scale from 0 to 10:
Assessing the client's pain intensity is the first essential step in managing postoperative pain. Understanding the severity of pain will guide the nurse in determining the appropriate intervention and whether immediate pain relief measures or further assessment are needed.

B) Reposition the client and offer her a back rub:
Repositioning and providing comfort measures like a back rub can help alleviate discomfort, but assessing the pain level first is crucial to prioritize interventions effectively.

C) Determine the time the client last received pain medication:
Knowing the timing of the last pain medication dose is important but assessing current pain intensity takes precedence to determine if the client needs immediate pain relief.

D) Measure the client's vital signs, including temperature:
While vital signs are important for overall assessment, addressing pain management and comfort should be the initial focus after the client reports incisional pain postoperatively.

A) The client should use an electric razor while on this medication:
Using an electric razor is recommended for clients taking warfarin because it reduces the risk of cuts and bleeding, which can be difficult to control due to the anticoagulant effects of warfarin. This advice helps minimize the risk of injury and excessive bleeding.

B) Warfarin increases the risk for deep vein thrombosis:
Warfarin is an anticoagulant that is actually used to prevent and treat deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and other thromboembolic conditions. This statement is incorrect because warfarin reduces the risk of clot formation, rather than increasing it.

C) Nose bleeds are common during initial treatment:
While nosebleeds can occur as a side effect of warfarin due to its anticoagulant properties, they are not considered common or normal. Persistent or frequent nosebleeds should be reported to a healthcare provider, as they may indicate that the dosage needs adjustment.

D) If he misses a dose, he should double the dose at the next scheduled time:
Doubling the dose of warfarin if a dose is missed is not recommended. Doing so can significantly increase the risk of bleeding. The correct action for a missed dose is to take it as soon as remembered, but if it is close to the time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with the regular schedule. Clients should follow specific instructions from their healthcare provider regarding missed doses.