What it means
The liver needs vitamin K to make several clotting factors. Phytonadione is given to reverse the effect of warfarin when the international normalized ratioin-ter-NASH-uh-nul NOR-muh-lyzd RAY-shee-ohA blood test result that shows how long blood takes to clot, reported in a standard way so labs everywhere can compare it.Full entry is too high or there is bleeding, to treat vitamin K deficiency, and as one injection to every newborn to prevent vitamin K deficiency bleeding, because babies are born with very little.
For the nurse
The injectable form carries a boxed warning for severe allergic reactions, which have been fatal, mainly with IV use; give IV doses slowly and stay with the client. The newborn dose is given IM into the thigh (the vastus lateralis) soon after birth. Clients on warfarin should keep their intake of vitamin K foods, such as leafy greens, steady rather than avoid them.
At a glance
| Drug class | vitamin (fat-soluble), warfarin reversal agent |
|---|---|
| Brand names | Mephyton (oral tablets) |
| Spanish | fitonadiona |
| Also written | vitamin K1 |
Related terms
anticoagulant
A drug that slows the blood's ability to form clots.
newborn
A baby in the first 28 days of life.
international normalized ratio
A blood test result that shows how long blood takes to clot, reported in a standard way so labs everywhere can compare it.
clotting
The process by which blood thickens into a gel to plug a damaged vessel and stop bleeding; also called coagulation.