Monitoring blood pressure is critical when using coagulation-modifying drugs because these medications, which include anticoagulants and antiplatelets, have a direct impact on the blood’s ability to clot. An important concern with these drugs is the risk of bleeding, which can lead to significant decreases in blood volume and consequently affect blood pressure.
When a patient experiences bleeding, whether internal or external, their blood pressure may drop due to the loss of blood volume. This scenario can lead to hypovolemic shock, which is a severe condition requiring immediate medical attention. Therefore, regular assessment of blood pressure provides essential information regarding the patient’s safety and response to these medications.
In contrast, while cholesterol levels, temperature, and respiratory rate are important vital signs and laboratory values to monitor for various health conditions, they are not as directly related to the effects and side effects of coagulation-modifying drugs as blood pressure is. Hence, blood pressure takes precedence in this context.