ATI Hematologic System Related

Review ATI Hematologic System related questions and content

You receive a phone call that a 3-year-old patient on long-term warfarin therapy for congenital heart disease has an international normalized ratio (INR) of 5.8. On further history, you learn the patient and several family members have had recent gastrointestinal illnesses, but the patient is recovering. His mother reports he is not experiencing bleeding symptoms. Which of the following interventions would be most reasonable in this clinical scenario?

  • A. Hold 1 to 2 doses of warfarin and recheck INR
  • B. Administer oral vitamin K therapy
  • C. Administer fresh frozen plasma (FFP)
  • D. Administer recombinant factor VIIa
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Hold 1 to 2 doses of warfarin and recheck INR. In this scenario, the high INR indicates an increased risk of bleeding due to excess anticoagulation. However, since the patient is asymptomatic and the high INR is likely due to transient factors (gastrointestinal illness), the most appropriate initial step is to temporarily hold warfarin to allow the INR to normalize. Rechecking the INR after holding the doses will guide further management.

Choice B (Administer oral vitamin K therapy) is incorrect because the patient is not experiencing bleeding symptoms and oral vitamin K should be reserved for patients with active bleeding or high INR with bleeding symptoms. Choice C (Administer fresh frozen plasma) is inappropriate as the patient is not actively bleeding and FFP is typically reserved for acute bleeding situations. Choice D (Administer recombinant factor VIIa) is also incorrect as it is reserved for severe bleeding in patients on war