Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 68%
Simulated
A nurse on a telemetry unit is reviewing the laboratory results for a client who has atrial fibrillation and is taking warfarin. Which of the following laboratory values should the nurse report to the provider?
Correct answer
B
Rationale
PT of 45 seconds (normal 11ÔÇô13.5 seconds) indicates excessive anticoagulation (therapeutic 1.5ÔÇô2 times normal), risking bleeding on warfarin. Hgb (16 g/dL, 13.8ÔÇô17.2 g/dL), aPTT (36 seconds, 21ÔÇô35 seconds), and platelets (190,000/mm, 150,000ÔÇô450,000/mm) are normal. PT requires urgent reporting.