What should be monitored in a patient taking Warfarin (Coumadin)?

What should be monitored in a patient taking Warfarin (Coumadin)?

• A. PTT
• B. PT/INR
• C. Platelet count
• D. Liver enzymes

Answer: (B)

In patients taking Warfarin (Coumadin), the most critical parameters to monitor are PT (Prothrombin Time) and INR (International Normalized Ratio). Warfarin is an anticoagulant that works by inhibiting vitamin K-dependent clotting factors, which are essential for blood clot formation. In order to ensure that the medication is effectively thinning the blood to prevent clot formation while minimizing the risk of excessive bleeding, regular monitoring of these values is necessary. PT is a test that measures how long it takes for blood to clot, while the INR standardizes this measurement across different laboratories, making it easier to manage and compare a patient's anticoagulation status over time. The therapeutic INR range varies depending on the condition being treated but typically falls between 2.0 and 3.0 for many indications. Keeping the INR within this range helps balance the benefits of anticoagulation against the risks of bleeding. Monitoring PTT (Partial Thromboplastin Time) is more relevant for other anticoagulants, such as heparin, whereas platelet count is not specifically monitored for patients on Warfarin as it does not primarily affect platelet function, but rather the clotting pathway. Liver enzymes, while important in assessing liver function, are

In patients taking Warfarin (Coumadin), the most critical parameters to monitor are PT (Prothrombin Time) and INR (International Normalized Ratio). Warfarin is an anticoagulant that works by inhibiting vitamin K-dependent clotting factors, which are essential for blood clot formation. In order to ensure that the medication is effectively thinning the blood to prevent clot formation while minimizing the risk of excessive bleeding, regular monitoring of these values is necessary.

PT is a test that measures how long it takes for blood to clot, while the INR standardizes this measurement across different laboratories, making it easier to manage and compare a patient's anticoagulation status over time. The therapeutic INR range varies depending on the condition being treated but typically falls between 2.0 and 3.0 for many indications. Keeping the INR within this range helps balance the benefits of anticoagulation against the risks of bleeding.

Monitoring PTT (Partial Thromboplastin Time) is more relevant for other anticoagulants, such as heparin, whereas platelet count is not specifically monitored for patients on Warfarin as it does not primarily affect platelet function, but rather the clotting pathway. Liver enzymes, while important in assessing liver function, are