Question

Vitamin K and Coumadin Therapy Case scenario: People who take anticoagulants such as Coumadin (warfarin) need to monitor their vitamin K intake to ensure they consume approximately the same amount of vitamin K each day. Variations in vitamin K intake can interfere with the blood's ability to clot appropriately while on anticoagulant therapy. Cal Dinner #1 Item Cal Vit K Pot roast, beef, 3 oz Mashed potatoes, % cup Broccoli, cooked, a cup Dinner roll, whole-wheat, 1 item Kiwi, sliced, cup 1% milk, 1 cup Totals Key: Cal - kcalories. Vit K-vitamin K (micrograms) Dinner #2 Item Grilled chicken breast, 3 oz Wild rice, 1 cup Spinach, steamed, cup Biscuit, 1 item Peach, fresh, 1 medium 1% milk, 1 cup Totals Discussion questions: 1. What is the DRI for vitamin K for men and women? (Hint: Use the chart inside the front cover of your textbook.) 2. Which foods provide the most vitamin K in the two meal plans? 3. What could be changed to make the meal plan more consistent in vitamin K between both of the two meal plans? 4. When educating clients about vitamin K and Coumadin, what is the key message?

Answer 1

1. 122mcg for women and 138mcg for men
2. Spinach has the highest amount of Vit K among all the sources mentioned here follows by Broccoli.
3. To make the plan more consistent, equal quantities of similar food groups with similar amounts of Vit K should be taken.
4. The key message is to be consistent with their Vitamin K intake.