A client with atrial fibrillation receives a new prescription for dabigatran. Which instruction should the nurse include in this client's teaching plan?

Choice A reason: Spinach and other green vegetables are rich in vitamin K, which is essential for blood clotting. However, dabigatran is not affected by vitamin K intake, unlike warfarin, another anticoagulant drug. Therefore, there is no need to eliminate these foods from the diet.Choice B reason: Dabigatran does not require routine laboratory monitoring of bleeding parameters, such as prothrombin time (PT) or international normalized ratio (INR), unlike warfarin. Therefore, the client does not need to continue obtaining scheduled laboratory bleeding tests.Choice C reason: Dabigatran is a direct thrombin inhibitor that prevents the formation of fibrin, the main component of blood clots. In case of a major bleeding event, the antidote for dabigatran is idarucizumab, a monoclonal antibody that binds to dabigatran and reverses its effect. However, this antidote is not readily available in most settings and should only be administered by a health care provider. Therefore, the client should not keep an antidote available at home.Choice D reason: NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen or naproxen, can increase the risk of bleeding by inhibiting platelet aggregation and damaging the gastric mucosa. Therefore, the client should avoid using these drugs while taking dabigatran. The client should consult with the prescriber before taking any other medications, including over-the-counter or herbal products.