1. Retieve the CV&P drug sheet from the Pharmacy Tool Kit. Study the following sections and be prepared for matching names with actions:
2. Study this Completed Objective:
What are the broad categories for the prescription of warfarin?
What are additional precautions should the therapist take when the patient is using an anticoagualant like Warfarin?
What potential interactions should you be aware of?
Hx of DVT, PE, cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, atrial fibrillation.
Coumadin (warfarin) is monitored regularly to see if prothrombin time (PT), international normalized ration (INR) and partial prothrombin time (PPT) are prolonged.
Bruising that can be explained by unusual tissue trauma is not likely to be a problem, but if bruising occurs without the patient being aware of the cause, or if bruises are extensive, the physician should be contacted. In addition, the therapist should consider the possibility of physical abuse when bruises are present. How might you distinguish bruises caused by anticoagulant therapy from bruises received from trauma, either accidental or from abuse? A circumferential bruise on the forearm, for example, would be suspect.
Warfarin increases the risk of internal hemorrhage that could present insidiously as anemia, and possibly result in vertigo and balance disturbances.
Warfarin can have GI hemorrhage side effects. REMEMBER, women are more likely to report gastric discomfort as a symptom of angina than are men. Is your patient on a med for gastritis? Is so, that can mask this effect.
Consider how to go about muscle testing if bruises are easily produced.
Interactions: