Describe the importance of monitoring INR levels in patients on warfarin.

Monitoring INR (International Normalized Ratio) levels in patients on warfarin is crucial for several reasons, primarily centered around balancing the risks of stroke and bleeding. Warfarin is an anticoagulant, meaning it helps prevent blood clots that can lead to strokes, particularly in patients with atrial fibrillation or other conditions that increase the risk of thromboembolic events.

Maintaining the INR within a targeted therapeutic range is essential for effective anticoagulation. If the INR is too low, the patient is at increased risk for a stroke due to insufficient anticoagulation; if the INR is too high, the risk of bleeding increases significantly. Therefore, regular monitoring of INR levels allows healthcare providers to adjust the warfarin dosage appropriately to keep the INR within this therapeutic range, thereby effectively minimizing the risk of both stroke and bleeding.

Other options related to adherence, diet, exercise, and weight gain do not directly address the primary therapeutic goal of warfarin therapy, which is to finely tune anticoagulation levels for patient safety and efficacy. Keeping a balanced approach through precise INR monitoring ultimately helps achieve optimal patient outcomes in managing conditions like atrial fibrillation.