Which intervention could contribute to a sentinel event according to nursing practice?

Administering warfarin with an INR of 6 is a significant intervention that could lead to a sentinel event due to the extremely high risk of bleeding associated with such elevated levels of anticoagulation. An INR, or International Normalized Ratio, measures how long it takes for blood to clot; a normal therapeutic range for patients on warfarin is typically between 2.0 and 3.0. An INR of 6 indicates a profound risk of hemorrhage, which could potentially result in life-threatening complications, such as stroke or internal bleeding.

The process of administering medication when a patient's INR is dangerously high implies a critical lapse in monitoring and assessment protocols. This not only poses immediate and severe risk to patient safety but also represents a failure in clinical judgment, which can lead to serious consequences for the patient, thus classifying it as a sentinel event. Such events are often defined as unexpected occurrences involving death or serious physical or psychological injury, and an INR of 6 fits this criteria clearly, given the significant complications that can arise from it.