Safe Use of Warfarin

Course overview

Though bleeding is a risk, warfarin continues to be recommended for select patients such as those with atrial fibrillation. Nurses in nearly all clinical settings will care for patients on warfarin and they must be prepared to educate patients and families about the effective and safe use of the medication. This course will discuss the mechanism of action of warfarin as well as indications and contraindications for anticoagulant therapy with warfarin. Concepts related to warfarin therapy including international normalization ratio (INR) monitoring, dietary vitamin K intake, and bridging therapy will also be explored.