A female client is started on warfarin (Coumadin) 5 mg po bid. To adequately evaluate the effectiveness of the warfarin therapy, the nurse must know that this medication:

Question

Options

• ADissolves any clots already formed in the arteries
• BPrevents the conversion of prothrombin to thrombin
• CInterferes with the synthesis of vitamin K-dependent clotting factors
• DStimulates the manufacturing of platelets

• A
  3% (1)
• B
  7% (2)
• C
  79% (23)
• D
  10% (3)

Explanation

(A) Thrombolytic agents (e.g., streptokinase) directly activate plasminogen, dissolving fibrin deposits, which in turn dissolves clots that have already formed. (B) Heparin prevents the formation of clots bypotentiating the effects of antithrombin III and the conversion of prothrombin to thrombin. (C) Warfarin prevents the formation of clots by interfering with the hepatic synthesis of the vitamin K-dependent clotting factors. (D) Platelets initiate the coagulation of blood by adhering to each other and the site of injury to form platelet plugs.

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