What nurses need to know about interactions of diet containing vitamin K with warfarin: A review study

The present review study was conducted with the aim of exploring what nurses should know about interactions of diet containing vitamin K with warfarin. Background. Warfarin is one of the most widely used oral anticoagulants. Dietary interactions, mainly due to vitamin K, are a common concern when consuming warfarin. In the meantime, the nurse, as the first person in the care chain and the main person in charge of patient education, can play an important role in reducing these interactions, which is a challenge for patients.

The present review study was conducted through searching out library as well as databases such as PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Scopus, Up-to-date, OVID, CINAHL, Magiran and SID using Persian keywords of warfarin, dietary interactions, vitamin k diet, patient and nurse education and their English equivalents in the period 1999 to 2021. Out of a total of 30 articles found, 8 articles were reviewed after screening the articles.

The findings of this study showed that the amount of vitamin K intake in the diet should be kept constant. This is 90 to 120 micrograms per day. Patients should be properly and continuously educated about vitamin K in various foods and supplements. In the meantime, the role of the nurse as one of the pillars of patient education is very important and fundamental.

Due to the role of the nurse in educating these patients, it is recommended that education about dietary interactions be used using authoritative sources. It is possible with methods such as preparing a clinical guide, making a video and designing an application, and including tables of vitamin K levels in foods.