Prescribing Safety Assessment (PSA) Practice Exam

What should be considered if a patient is classified as high risk on the HAS-BLED score?

1. Continue anticoagulation without change

2. Alternatives to anticoagulation should be explored

3. Double the anticoagulation dose

4. Stop all medications

The correct answer is: Alternatives to anticoagulation should be explored

When a patient is classified as high risk on the HAS-BLED score, it indicates a greater likelihood of bleeding complications associated with anticoagulation therapy. In this context, exploring alternatives to anticoagulation becomes crucial. This may involve assessing other management options for the patient’s condition, such as non-pharmacological therapies or using different anticoagulants that may present a lower risk of bleeding. It's essential to balance the need for anticoagulation with the patient's risk factors as identified by the HAS-BLED score. By exploring alternatives, healthcare providers can ensure more tailored and safer treatment plans that consider the patient's overall health status and specific risk factors. In contrast, continuing anticoagulation without change overlooks the potential risks the patient faces and does not address the high bleeding risk. Doubling the anticoagulation dose poses an immediate risk of exacerbating bleeding and is not a viable course of action for high-risk patients. Stopping all medications outright may leave the patient without necessary treatment for their underlying condition, which is not typically advisable.