When monitoring a patient on Warfarin, what is the primary concern a nurse should be aware of?

When monitoring a patient on Warfarin, the primary concern for the nurse is bleeding. Warfarin is an anticoagulant that significantly reduces the blood's ability to clot, which helps prevent conditions like thrombosis and embolism. Because of this effect, patients on Warfarin are at an increased risk for bleeding complications, both minor and severe.

Nurses must regularly monitor the patient’s international normalized ratio (INR) to ensure that it remains within the therapeutic range. An INR that is too high indicates an increased risk of bleeding; thus, prompt intervention may be necessary to avoid hemorrhagic episodes.

While the other concerns listed—infection, nausea, and fatigue—are important in patient care, they are not the primary focus when a patient is on Warfarin. The risk of uncontrolled bleeding is significant and can lead to serious consequences, including life-threatening situations, making it the top priority in the management of a patient receiving this anticoagulant therapy.