Epidural Catheter Insertion and INR Management

A 75-year-old patient is scheduled for a therapeutic procedure involving the insertion of an epidural catheter for pain management following hip replacement surgery. Pre-procedural assessments have revealed that the patient has a history of anticoagulant therapy, specifically taking warfarin for atrial fibrillation. The nurse must ensure that the patient's international normalized ratio (INR) is within the appropriate range to reduce the risk of bleeding complications during the procedure. The therapeutic range for INR in patients on warfarin therapy typically falls between 2.0 and 3.0 for most indications. Prior to the procedure, the nurse needs to assess the patient's current INR level and determine if any adjustments in anticoagulant therapy are necessary.

Fill in the blank: To safely proceed with the epidural catheter insertion, the INR must not exceed _______ in a patient undergoing this procedure.