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    PN COMPREHENSIVE PREDICTOR 2023 PROCTORED EXAM

    A nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for warfarin. Which of the following laboratory tests should the nurse monitor?

    Explanation & Rationale

    d. Prothrombin time. Explanation: Warfarin is an anticoagulant medication that works by inhibiting the synthesis of vitamin K-dependent clotting factors in the liver. Therefore, it is important to monitor the client's clotting ability to ensure that the medication is working properly and not causing any adverse effects. The laboratory test that is used to monitor warfarin therapy is the prothrombin time (PT), which measures the time it takes for the blood to clot. The nurse should monitor the client's PT regularly and adjust the dosage of warfarin as necessary to maintain the therapeutic range. Option a (Triiodothyronine) is a thyroid hormone and is not directly related to warfarin therapy. Option b (Blood urea nitrogen) is a measure of kidney function and is also not directly related to warfarin therapy. Option c (Arterial blood gases) is a measure of oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the blood and is not related to warfarin therapy.

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