A nurse is reviewing laboratory results for a client who is taking warfarin. Which of the following laboratory tests determines if the dose of medication is within the recommended target range?
Bleeding time
Factor VIII
aPTT
INR
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A reason: Bleeding time assesses platelet function, not warfarin’s anticoagulant effect. Warfarin inhibits vitamin K-dependent clotting factors, unrelated to platelets. Monitoring bleeding time does not reflect therapeutic anticoagulation levels, making it irrelevant for adjusting warfarin doses to prevent thrombosis or bleeding.
Choice B reason: Factor VIII, deficient in hemophilia A, is not affected by warfarin, which targets vitamin K-dependent factors (II, VII, IX, X). Measuring Factor VIII does not indicate warfarin’s efficacy, as it is unrelated to the drug’s mechanism, making it unsuitable for dose monitoring.
Choice C reason: aPTT monitors heparin’s effect on the intrinsic clotting pathway, not warfarin’s action on vitamin K-dependent factors. Warfarin requires INR for therapeutic monitoring, as aPTT is insensitive to its effects, making it inappropriate for assessing warfarin’s anticoagulation range in patients.
Choice D reason: INR standardizes prothrombin time, measuring warfarin’s effect on vitamin K-dependent clotting factors. It ensures therapeutic anticoagulation (e.g., INR 2-3), preventing thrombosis or bleeding. INR is the gold standard for warfarin monitoring, guiding dose adjustments for safe and effective therapy.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: Performing postural drainage immediately after meals risks aspiration and discomfort due to gastric contents shifting during positioning. It should be done 1-2 hours after meals to ensure safety and efficacy in clearing mucus from the lungs, making this timing inappropriate for cystic fibrosis management.
Choice B reason: Performing postural drainage twice daily is recommended for cystic fibrosis to mobilize thick mucus from the lungs, improving airway clearance and reducing infection risk. This frequency balances effectiveness with patient tolerance, aligning with evidence-based guidelines for managing chronic respiratory conditions, making it the correct action.
Choice C reason: Using a percussion vest is an alternative to manual postural drainage but is not specified as the only method. Manual techniques are effective and standard unless a vest is prescribed. This choice assumes equipment availability, which may not apply, making it less universally appropriate than scheduled manual drainage.
Choice D reason: Positioning the child flat during postural drainage is incorrect, as specific angled positions (e.g., head-down) are needed to target lung segments and promote mucus drainage by gravity. Flat positioning reduces effectiveness and may not clear airways adequately, making this an inappropriate technique for cystic fibrosis.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: Obtaining initial assessments requires clinical judgment and is outside the scope of assistive personnel (AP). Registered nurses must perform assessments to identify health changes accurately. Delegating this task violates scope of practice regulations, making it illegal and unsafe for AP to perform.
Choice B reason: Changing a nonsterile dressing is within the scope of assistive personnel, as it involves routine, non-invasive care under nurse supervision. AP are trained for such tasks, which do not require clinical judgment, making this a legal and appropriate delegation choice.
Choice C reason: Interpreting laboratory results requires advanced knowledge and clinical decision-making, reserved for registered nurses or providers. Assistive personnel lack the training to analyze results, so delegating this task is illegal and risks patient safety, making it an incorrect choice.
Choice D reason: Educating clients and families involves assessing learning needs and tailoring information, which requires nursing judgment. Assistive personnel are not trained for patient education, making this task outside their scope and illegal to delegate, thus an incorrect choice.
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