For a patient with bilateral pulmonary emboli and a positive lupus anticoagulant result, what is the NP's best intervention?

In a case involving a patient with bilateral pulmonary emboli and a positive lupus anticoagulant result, the best intervention focuses on the management of the patient’s coagulation status. Anticoagulation therapy is crucial for treating pulmonary emboli, and given the positive lupus anticoagulant result, the patient may have an underlying condition such as antiphospholipid syndrome that necessitates careful management.

Arranging follow-up appointments at the coumadin (warfarin) clinic is a proactive approach to ensure that the patient is monitored and managed appropriately while on anticoagulant therapy. Coumadin requires regular INR (International Normalized Ratio) monitoring to maintain therapeutic levels and reduce the risk of both thromboembolic events and hemorrhagic complications.

Regular follow-up is especially important in patients with an antiphospholipid antibody syndrome due to the complexity of their condition and the need for possible long-term anticoagulation tailored to their specific needs. This intervention not only ensures that the patient receives ongoing monitoring but also reinforces the importance of adherence to anticoagulation therapy, which is critical for preventing additional thrombotic events.

Providing discharge instructions for anticoagulants is also important but is more of a preliminary step rather than a comprehensive intervention. Ref