Question

a client being discharged is prescribed warfarin for the treatment following a pulmonary embolism. which diagnostic test should the nurse instruct the client to receive once a month?

a serum coumadin level (scl)

b perfusion scan

c activated partial thromboplastin (aptt)

d prothrombin time (pt)

Explanation:

Warfarin (Coumadin) is an anticoagulant. The Prothrombin Time (PT) test, along with the International Normalized Ratio (INR) derived from it, is used to monitor the effectiveness of warfarin therapy. Serum Coumadin level (SCL) is not a standard monitoring test. A perfusion scan is used to diagnose pulmonary embolism, not monitor warfarin. Activated partial thromboplastin (aPTT) is used to monitor heparin therapy, not warfarin. So the client on warfarin should have PT (with INR) monitored, and among the options, PT is the correct diagnostic test to receive once a month for monitoring warfarin therapy.

Answer:

D. Prothrombin Time (PT)