What should you monitor for a resident taking Coumadin?

Monitoring for signs of bleeding is crucial for a resident taking Coumadin (warfarin), which is an anticoagulant medication used to prevent blood clots. Since Coumadin works by inhibiting the vitamin K-dependent clotting factors in the liver, patients are at increased risk for bleeding complications. This could manifest as unusual bruising, blood in urine or stool, prolonged bleeding from cuts, or spontaneous bleeding from the gums or nose.

Monitoring for these signs is essential to ensure the safety of the patient and to prevent potentially serious outcomes such as internal bleeding, which can be life-threatening. Healthcare providers must regularly assess the patient for any indications of increased bleeding risk and may adjust the Coumadin dosage based on the results of INR (International Normalized Ratio) tests, which measure how well the blood thins while under treatment.

In the context of the other options: while monitoring for signs of infection, medication efficacy, and dehydration can be important for general patient well-being, they are not as directly related to the specific risks associated with Coumadin therapy as monitoring for signs of bleeding. Thus, the emphasis on bleeding is critical in ensuring the safe and effective management of a resident on this medication.