When monitoring a client on dabigatran, which symptom should prompt the nurse to intervene?

Dabigatran is an anticoagulant used to prevent and treat thromboembolic events. When monitoring a client on this medication, the presence of red urine is particularly concerning. This symptom could indicate hematuria, which is bleeding in the urine and may suggest that the patient is experiencing a serious side effect related to anticoagulation.

When a client is on dabigatran, monitoring for signs of bleeding is crucial due to the risk of hemorrhage associated with the drug. Red or brown urine can signify bleeding in the kidneys or urinary tract, which necessitates immediate clinical evaluation and possible intervention to address the risk of significant bleeding.

While nausea and vomiting, headache, and aching joints are symptoms that may occur in various situations, they are not specific indicators of bleeding and are typically not as urgent as hematuria in this context. Therefore, the presence of red urine directly raises concerns regarding the potential for adverse effects from dabigatran, making it the symptom that should prompt the nurse to take action.