Case 2: OTC Medication Issues Patient Profile: Taking warfarin 5mg daily Buys OTC ibuprofen for arthritis Your Analysis: 1. Safety concerns? __ 2. Immediate actions? __ 3. Patient teaching? __ 4. Documentation needed? __

1. Safety concerns: Yes, there are safety concerns with the patient's medication regimen. Ibuprofen can increase the risk of bleeding when taken with warfarin, as both medications can thin the blood. This can lead to an increased risk of bleeding and bruising.<br /><br />2. Immediate actions: The healthcare provider should be notified immediately. The patient should be advised to stop taking the ibuprofen and to avoid taking any other medications without consulting their healthcare provider. The healthcare provider may need to adjust the patient's warfarin dosage or prescribe an alternative medication to manage the patient's arthritis.<br /><br />3. Patient teaching: The patient should be educated on the potential interactions between warfarin and ibuprofen, and the importance of discussing all medications with their healthcare provider. They should be advised to avoid taking ibuprofen and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) while taking warfarin. The patient should also be instructed to regularly monitor their INR (International Normalized Ratio) levels and to report any signs of bleeding or bruising to their healthcare provider.<br /><br />4. Documentation needed: The healthcare provider should document the patient's medication regimen, including the warfarin and ibuprofen, and any interactions or safety concerns. They should also document any immediate actions taken, such as adjusting the patient's warfarin dosage or prescribing an alternative medication. Additionally, the healthcare provider should document any patient teaching provided and any follow-up appointments or tests, such as INR monitoring.