NAPLEX (North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination) Practice Exam

Prior to major surgery, warfarin therapy should be stopped:

1. 1 day before

2. 3 days before

3. 5 days before

4. 7 days before

The correct answer is: 5 days before

Prior to major surgery, warfarin therapy should be stopped around 5 days before the scheduled surgery. This is because warfarin has a long half-life, meaning it takes several days for the drug to be eliminated from the body and for the anticoagulant effects to diminish. Stopping warfarin too close to the surgery can increase the risk of excessive bleeding during the procedure. Therefore, stopping warfarin 5 days before surgery allows for enough time for the medication to be cleared from the system, reducing the risk of bleeding complications. Options A, B, and D are incorrect because stopping warfarin therapy at these time points may not provide adequate time for the medication to be eliminated from the body, potentially leading to an increased risk of bleeding during surgery.