A nurse is preparing to administer warfarin to a client who has chronic atrial fibrillation. Which of the following laboratory values should the nurse monitor prior to administering the medication?

Choice A Reason:

LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein) is incorrect. This is a type of cholesterol and is not specifically monitored in relation to warfarin therapy.

Choice B Reason:

INR (International Normalized Ratio) is correct. Warfarin is an anticoagulant medication, and its dosage needs to be adjusted based on the INR levels. INR monitoring helps assess the clotting tendency of the blood and ensures that the dosage of warfarin is within the therapeutic range to prevent blood clots without causing excessive bleeding.

Choice C Reason:

BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen) is incorrect. This value is primarily used to assess kidney function and is not directly related to monitoring warfarin therapy.

Choice D Reason:

Hct (Hematocrit) is incorrect. This measures the percentage of red blood cells in the blood and is not directly related to monitoring warfarin therapy for atrial fibrillation.

Choice A Reason:

Assisting the client to the restroom 30 minutes after meals is correct recommendation. This intervention aligns with the natural response of the gastrocolic reflex, which often leads to increased colonic motility after eating. Timing the restroom visit to this period can take advantage of the body's natural tendency to have a bowel movement after meals, potentially aiding in achieving bowel continence.

Choice B Reason:

Limiting the client's physical activity until bowel continence is achieved is not appropriate. Physical activity can actually stimulate bowel function and regularity. Moderate physical activity, as appropriate for the client's condition, can promote regular bowel movements. Restricting physical activity might hinder the overall success of bowel training.

Choice C Reason:

Limiting the client's fluid intake to 1500 mL/dayis not appropriate. Adequate hydration is crucial for bowel health and regularity. Limiting fluid intake could lead to dehydration and constipation, which can exacerbate fecal incontinence. It's important to encourage adequate hydration unless there are specific medical reasons to restrict fluids.

Choice D Reason:

Instructing the client to limit their intake of high-fiber foods is incorrect. High-fiber foods are beneficial for bowel regularity and can help manage fecal incontinence by promoting healthy bowel movements. Limiting high-fiber foods could potentially lead to constipation or exacerbate the issue of fecal incontinence.