What should a vocational nurse monitor when a patient is on anticoagulants?

When a patient is on anticoagulants, monitoring for signs of bleeding and assessing laboratory values is crucial for ensuring patient safety. Anticoagulants are medications that reduce the blood's ability to clot, which can significantly increase the risk of bleeding.

Signs of bleeding can manifest in various ways, such as unusual bruising, blood in urine or stool, excessive bleeding from small cuts, or spontaneous nosebleeds. By closely observing these signs, the vocational nurse can intervene promptly to prevent severe complications.

Additionally, laboratory values, particularly those related to coagulation, such as INR (International Normalized Ratio) or aPTT (activated Partial Thromboplastin Time), are essential in managing anticoagulant therapy. These values help determine the effectiveness of the medication and whether adjustments are necessary to maintain the patient's safety while minimizing the risk of clotting or bleeding.

Other options, such as only monitoring blood pressure, fluid intake and output, or the patient's emotional state, do not encompass the primary risks associated with anticoagulant therapy. While these aspects may still be important in broader patient care, they do not specifically address the crucial safety concerns that anticoagulants introduce.