Male patient with a history of atrial fibrillation

  J.C. is a 70-year-old male patient with a history of atrial fibrillation that is controlled with medication. His medication regimen also includes warfarin (Coumadin). His daughter has taken him to the Coumadin Clinic today, and she has several questions for the nurse. 1. J.C.’s daughter says, “I understand why my father takes a medication for his heart rhythm problems, but why does he need a blood thinner?” How will the nurse answer the daughter’s question? 2. J.C.’s daughter also asks about her father’s clotting times. The nurse states that the prothrombin time (PT) is 19 seconds, and the INR is 2.8. Are these values therapeutic? If the INR was 3.5 and J.C. showed signs of hemorrhage, what treatment would the nurse expect to be ordered?