When monitoring a client on anticoagulants, which sign should alert the nurse for potential bleeding complications?

The presence of dark, tarry stools is a significant indicator of potential bleeding complications in a client on anticoagulants. This condition, known as melena, signifies that there may be bleeding occurring in the upper gastrointestinal tract, where blood has had time to be digested—resulting in the dark coloring. In patients receiving anticoagulation therapy, the risk of bleeding is heightened; thus, any signs of internal hemorrhaging need to be monitored carefully.

Monitoring for signs of bleeding is a crucial aspect of care for clients on these medications. Dark, tarry stools indicate not just any bleeding, but specifically one that has occurred further up in the gastrointestinal system, prompting immediate assessment and intervention to manage potential acute blood loss and its associated risks. This finding can help in determining the urgency and type of medical response required to safeguard the client's health.

While other signs such as increased heart rate, low blood pressure, or swelling of the limbs are important indicators of overall health and could suggest issues requiring attention, they are less specific for internal bleeding than dark, tarry stools. Thus, the latter serves as a more direct warning of the serious complication associated with anticoagulant therapy.