Posted: June 16th, 2017

A client who has been receiving heparin therapy also is started on warfarinsodium (coumadin). The client asks the nurse why both medications are being administered. In formulating a response, the nurse incorporates the understanding that warfarin sodium:

A client who has been receiving heparin therapy also is started on warfarinsodium (coumadin). The client asks the nurse why both medications are being administered. In formulating a response, the nurse incorporates the understanding that warfarin sodium:

1. Stimulates the breakdown of specific clotting factors by the liver, and it takes 2-3 days for this is exhibit an anticoagulant effect.
2. Inhibits synthesis of specific clotting factors in the liver, and it takes 3 to 4 days for this medication to exert an anticoagulation effect.
3. Stimulates production of the body’s own thrombolytic substances, but it takes 2-4 days for it to begin.
4. Has the same mechanism action of heparin, and the crossover time is needed for the serum level of warfarin sodium to be therapeutic.