What are the possible consequences of failing to monitor a patient on warfarin?

Failing to monitor a patient on warfarin can lead to an increased risk of bleeding and other complications. Warfarin is an anticoagulant that requires careful management due to its narrow therapeutic window, meaning that the difference between an effective dose and a harmful dose is small. Regular monitoring ensures that the International Normalized Ratio (INR) remains within a targeted range, which is critical for minimizing the risk of thromboembolic events while also preventing excessive bleeding.

Without appropriate monitoring, patients may experience fluctuations in their INR levels, leading to unintended consequences such as bleeding from minor injuries, gastrointestinal bleeding, or even life-threatening hemorrhages. This increased risk emphasizes the importance of routine INR checks and medication adjustments based on those results to maintain safe and effective anticoagulation therapy.