A patient who has atrial fibrillation is taking warfarin and has an INR of 2.5.The patient reports having frequent headaches and asks for an over-the-counter pain reliever.The nurse will recommend which medication?

Dabigatran etexilate mesylate (Pradaxa) is a medication that prevents blood clots and reduces the risk of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation.

However, it can also cause bleeding as a side effect.

Therefore, the nurse should instruct the client to report any signs of unusual bleeding or bruising, blood in urine or stool, or abdominal pain or swelling immediately.These could indicate a serious complication such as gastrointestinal bleeding, hemorrhage, or internal organ damage.

Choice D, headache or dizziness, is not a correct answer.

Although these symptoms could be caused by dabigatran, they are not as serious or urgent as bleeding.

They could also be due to other factors such as dehydration, low blood pressure, or stress.The nurse should advise the client to monitor these symptoms and seek medical attention if they persist or worsen.

Choice E, shortness of breath, is not a correct answer.

Shortness of breath is not a common side effect of dabigatran.

However, it could be a symptom of atrial fibrillation or its complications such as heart failure or stroke.The nurse should educate the client about the signs and symptoms of these conditions and instruct them to call 911 if they experience chest pain, palpitations, fainting, or weakness.

The nurse should include headache and dyspnea as potential adverse effects of bivalirudin.According to the drug information from various sources, bivalirudin can cause common side effects such as headache, nausea, low or high blood pressure, chest pain, abdominal pain, and shortness of breath (dyspnea).

These side effects should be reported to the provider if they are severe or persistent.

Choice B is wrong because fever is not a common side effect of bivalirudin.

However, fever can be a sign of infection or an allergic reaction to the drug, which should be reported to the provider immediately.

Choice C is wrong because chest pain is not an adverse effect of bivalirudin, but rather a symptom of angina, which is one of the conditions that bivalirudin is used to treat.

Chest pain can also indicate a heart attack or other serious cardiac problems, which require immediate medical attention.

Choice D is wrong because backache is not a common side effect of bivalirudin.

However, backache can be a sign of bleeding in the kidneys or other organs, which can be a serious complication of bivalirudin therapy.

Therefore, any unusual pain or swelling in the back or abdomen should be reported to the provider as soon as possible.