For a patient on enoxaparin, which laboratory value is essential for the nurse to monitor?

For a patient on enoxaparin, monitoring the platelet count is essential due to the risk of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). Enoxaparin is a low molecular weight heparin, and while it has a different mechanism and lower risk of causing HIT compared to unfractionated heparin, the risk still exists. A decrease in platelet count may indicate the development of HIT, which is a serious condition that can lead to thrombosis. Therefore, it's crucial for nurses to regularly assess the platelet count in patients receiving enoxaparin to catch any potential complications early and to ensure patient safety.

Monitoring other parameters such as activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) or international normalized ratio (INR) is not necessary for enoxaparin because it has a predictable response and does not require routine coagulation monitoring like warfarin or unfractionated heparin does. Additionally, troponin levels are more relevant for cardiac assessment rather than monitoring the effects of anticoagulants. Thus, platelet count is the key laboratory value to focus on with enoxaparin therapy.