Table 2 Knowledge of OAC
Knowledge questions | Frequency n (%) |
|---|---|
Name of OAC | |
Warfarin | 147 (71) |
Rivaroxaban | 45 (21.7) |
Don’t know the name | 15 (7.2) |
Why has your doctor prescribed this medicine | |
Arrhythmias | 14 (6.8) |
Blood thinning | 47 (22.7) |
Cardiac issue/chest pain | 20 (9.7) |
DVT | 15 (7.2) |
MI | 39 (18.8) |
Prosthetic valve | 26 (12.6) |
Don’t know | 26 (12.6) |
Others | 20 (9.7) |
How does this medicine work in your body | |
Lowers BP | 16 (7.7) |
Prevents blood from clotting | 116 (56.1) |
Lowers heart rate | 9 (4.3) |
Don’t know | 66 (31.9) |
How many times a day do you need to take this medicine | |
Once | 171 (82.6) |
Twice | 22 (10.6) |
Thrice | 4 (1.9) |
Don’t know | 10 (4.8) |
For how long do you need to take this medicine | |
3 months | 15 (7.2) |
6 months | 18 (8.7) |
1 year | 19 (9.2) |
Lifelong | 89 (43) |
Don’t know | 66 (31.9) |
Why is it important to take this medicine exactly as the doctor has told you | |
Too much of this can cause bleeding | 44 (21.3) |
Skipping a dose can cause bleeding | 2 (1) |
It interacts with food, so changing the dose/timing can be hazardous | 6 (2.9) |
Don’t know | 155 (74.9) |
Is it important to take this medicine at the same time each day | |
Yes | 139 (67.1) |
No | 31 (15) |
Not sure | 37 (17.9) |
Is it okay to double the next dose of this medicine if you missed a dose | |
Yes | 23 (11.1) |
No | 134 (64.7) |
Not sure | 50 (24.2) |
Could missing one dose worsen your condition | |
Yes | 87 (42) |
No | 68 (32.9) |
Not sure | 52 (25.1) |
Is it appropriate to stop taking this medicine once you feel better | |
Yes | 46 (22.2) |
No | 111 (53.6) |
Not sure | 50 (24.2) |
Is it safe to take anti-inflammatory meds while on OAC | |
Yes | 67 (32.4) |
No | 41 (19.8) |
Not sure | 99 (47.8) |
Is it safe to take vitamins, herbal meds without consulting doctor | |
Yes | 66 (31.9) |
No | 64 (30.9) |
Not sure | 77 (37.2) |
Is it beneficial to take more medicine than prescribed | |
Yes | 11 (5.3) |
No | 126 (60.9) |
Not sure | 70 (33.8) |
Will drinking too much alcohol increase the risks of this med | |
Yes | 70 (33.8) |
No | 10 (4.8) |
Not sure | 127 (61.4) |
Would you inform surgeon, dentist, doc about your meds | |
Yes | 161 (77.8) |
No | 19 (9.2) |
Not sure | 27 (13) |
Is it imp that all healthcare practitioners know about this med | |
Yes | 161 (77.8) |
No | 23 (11.1) |
Not sure | 23 (11.1) |
Most important side effect of this medicine | |
Bleeding | 49 (23.7) |
Others | 20 (9.7) |
Don’t know | 136 (65.7) |
Correct side effects identified | |
All three | 56 (27.1) |
Two correct | 22 (10.6) |
One correct | 7 (3.4) |
None | 5 (2.4) |
Don’t know | 117 (56.5) |
Side effect identified | |
Bleeding gums | 72 (19.7) |
Prolonged nosebleeds | 50 (13.7) |
Severe bruising | 32 (8.8) |
Blood in urine | 64 (17.5) |
Insomnia | 10 (2.7) |
Loss of apetite | 20 (5.5) |
Don’t know | 117 (32.1) |
How to reduce side effects | |
Monitor INR regularly | 15 (4.9) |
Monitor | 44 (14.4) |
Sleeping on time | 21 (6.9) |
Eating less food | 14 (4.6) |
Avoid things that could cause cuts/injuries | 31 (10.1) |
Proper dosing | 53 (17.3) |
Don’t know | 128 (41.8) |
Best step if you take too much of this medicine | |
Skip the next dose | 35 (16.9) |
Consult my doctor | 110 (53.1) |
Be alert for signs of side effects | 15 (7.2) |
Don’t know | 47 (22.7) |