The nurse is reviewing a new client’s medication orders. Which order would prompt the nurse to notify the health care provider?

  • allopurinol 300 mg PO daily
  • potassium chloride 20 mEq PO daily
  • warfarin (Coumadin) 50 mg PO daily
  • metoprolol (Lopressor) 50 mg PO daily
Number 3 is correct.
Warfarin doses typically range from 2 to 10 mg PO daily, with dosing adjusted to maintain the PT 1.2 – 2 × the control, or an INR of 2 – 3. This is a higher-than-expected dose.