Question

Nurse is reviewing medical record of patient who is taking warfarin for chronic a fib. Which of the following values should the nurse identify as a desired outcome for this therapy question

A. INR of 1
B. INR of 2.5
C. APTT 45 seconds
D. APTT 90 seconds

Answer 1

An INR of 2.5 is the desired outcome for a patient with chronic a fib taking warfarin, as it falls within the therapeutic range aimed at preventing blood clots without causing excessive bleeding.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should identify an INR of 2.5 as a desired outcome for the therapy of a patient with chronic atrial fibrillation (a fib) taking warfarin. Warfarin is a type of anticoagulant medication, often referred to by its brand name, Coumadin. The goal of warfarin therapy is to prevent blood clots, which could lead to stroke or heart attack, by achieving a therapeutic INR level. Generally, for patients with atrial fibrillation, the target INR range is between 2 and 3. An INR of 1 indicates that the blood is clotting normally, as if the patient were not taking the medication, and hence is not the desired outcome. Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (APTT) is not typically used to monitor warfarin therapy; instead, it is used for other types of anticoagulation such as heparin. Therefore, APTT values are not relevant for the management of warfarin therapy.