When INR is too high, what is the primary clinical risk?

When INR is too high, what is the primary clinical risk?

• A. Blood clots too slowly
• B. Increased red blood cell count
• C. Increased blood viscosity
• D. Increased risk of bleeding

Answer: (D)

High INR means the blood clots more slowly than normal, indicating over-anticoagulation. The main clinical risk is bleeding because the prolonged clotting time makes it easier for spontaneous or injury-related bleeding to occur, including mucosal bleeding, GI bleeding, or intracranial hemorrhage in severe cases. The other ideas—more red blood cells or higher blood viscosity—aren’t driven by INR and aren’t the primary concern here.

High INR means the blood clots more slowly than normal, indicating over-anticoagulation. The main clinical risk is bleeding because the prolonged clotting time makes it easier for spontaneous or injury-related bleeding to occur, including mucosal bleeding, GI bleeding, or intracranial hemorrhage in severe cases. The other ideas—more red blood cells or higher blood viscosity—aren’t driven by INR and aren’t the primary concern here.