Counselling a patient starting warfarin tests whether you can convey safety-critical information clearly without overwhelming them. The examiner wants safe, structured, patient-centred communication.
How to structure it
- Establish what the patient understands about why warfarin has been started.
- Explain the purpose and the importance of regular INR monitoring in plain terms.
- Cover key safety points: bleeding risks, interactions, consistency, and what to do if a dose is missed.
- Check understanding and agree how monitoring and follow-up will work.
Common pitfalls
- Listing facts without prioritising the safety-critical ones.
- Skipping a check of understanding for a high-risk drug.
- Not explaining clearly when to seek urgent help.
Marks come from prioritised, jargon-free safety advice and clear safety-netting the patient can repeat back.
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