A patient's coagulation testing results include an INR of 2.0. What should be reported to the physician?

When reporting a patient's coagulation testing results, it's essential to understand the significance of each component involved in assessing a patient’s coagulation status, particularly in the context of anticoagulation therapy and potential bleeding risks.

In this scenario, an INR of 2.0 is a critical value, indicating that the patient may be at a heightened risk for bleeding, especially if they are on anticoagulation therapy. The INR is specifically a standardized measure of the prothrombin time (PT) and reflects how long it takes for blood to clot. While the PT and activated partial thromboplastin time (PTT) provide valuable information about the coagulation pathway, the INR is particularly relevant for monitoring patients on warfarin therapy, as it adjusts for variations in testing methods.

The most relevant information to communicate to the physician includes the INR because it directly addresses the coagulation status in relation to treatment. PTT may offer additional insights, but in this particular context, the INR is the critical parameter due to its specificity in anticoagulation management. Therefore, reporting the INR alongside the PTT helps provide a more complete picture, but the emphasis should clearly be on the INR value itself, which is why including just the INR and PTT is appropriate