Which intervention is essential for a nurse caring for a client who has received a new prescription for warfarin?

Teaching the client about dietary restrictions is essential for a nurse caring for a client on warfarin due to the medication’s mechanism of action as an anticoagulant. Warfarin works by inhibiting vitamin K-dependent clotting factors, and dietary intake of vitamin K can significantly affect the efficacy of the medication. Foods high in vitamin K, such as leafy green vegetables (like spinach and kale), can counteract the anticoagulation effect of warfarin, potentially leading to an increased risk of clot formation. Therefore, proper education on maintaining a consistent dietary intake of vitamin K is critical to ensure the client achieves stable INR (International Normalized Ratio) levels, reducing the risk of complications such as bleeding or thrombosis.

In this context, while monitoring vital signs regularly is important in general nursing care, it is not specifically related to the management of warfarin therapy. Encouraging exercise can be beneficial for overall health but does not directly address the specific needs associated with warfarin use. Limiting fluid intake if the client is on a diuretic is also not relevant to the administration of warfarin and does not pertain to the client's anticoagulation management. Hence, educating the patient about dietary restrictions stands out as a crucial intervention for