Clinical pharmacology: warfarin: practice question

A General Medicine question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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General Medicine · Clinical pharmacology: warfarin

Sample item

Which laboratory test is used to monitor warfarin therapy?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. International normalized ratio

Warfarin reduces vitamin K-dependent clotting-factor activity and is monitored with prothrombin time standardized as INR. Drug and dietary interactions can substantially alter its effect.

Option by option

  • A. Activated clotting time only

    Activated clotting time is used in some procedural anticoagulation settings.

  • B. International normalized ratio (correct)

    Correct. INR standardizes prothrombin time for warfarin monitoring.

  • C. Bleeding time

    Bleeding time is not used to monitor warfarin.

  • D. Serum sodium

    Serum sodium is unrelated.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this General Medicine question

What is the answer to this General Medicine question?

The best answer is B, International normalized ratio. Warfarin reduces vitamin K-dependent clotting-factor activity and is monitored with prothrombin time standardized as INR.

Why is "Activated clotting time only" not the answer?

Activated clotting time is used in some procedural anticoagulation settings.

Why is "Bleeding time" not the answer?

Bleeding time is not used to monitor warfarin.

Why is "Serum sodium" not the answer?

Serum sodium is unrelated.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Clinical pharmacology: warfarin in General Medicine. Drug and dietary interactions can substantially alter its effect.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Clinical pharmacology: warfarin?

For each disease know the classic presentation, the best test, and the first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other General Medicine questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.