[Holly27]

I just started my new job and STILL can't get a grip on PTT,PT and INR. I couldn't even explain it if my patient was to ask. I've read about them over and over but still have a hard time understanding. So if anyone has a simple explanation I would really appreciate it. OH! A example would probably help out alot too!

[kstockdaleRN]

PT and INR come on the same lab work. They are usually a measure of anticoagulation related to coumadin (warfarin). PTT is a measure of anticoagulation related to heparin (usually). I would say that your unit has coumadin and heparin protocols to go by for dosing and adjustments. These labs will tell you how to administer these medications. This is a simplified explanation, there is much more, but this will help your understanding of how these labs relate to your practice. Basically, pts with high PT/INR or high PTT's need to be observed for bleeding. Don't make the newbie mistake of letting them shave with a razor!

[Dinith88]

Originally Posted by Holly27

I just started my new job and STILL can't get a grip on PTT,PT and INR. I couldn't even explain it if my patient was to ask. I've read about them over and over but still have a hard time understanding. So if anyone has a simple explanation I would really appreciate it. OH! A example would probably help out alot too!

It may help for you to think of it like this...

In order for blood to clot properly, a 'cascade' of events has to take place (look up clotting cascade in a&p books, etc.). There are several components to this complicated 'cascade'/process, and i'm not aware of all of them but you can find this info on the net i'm sure...

Anyway, PT (protime/prothrombin time) and PTT (partial thromboplastin time) measure different events/aspects of this clotting cascade...and can give you an idea of how 'thin' your patient's blood is. The reason we check PT with coumadin is because that is the aspect of the clotting cascade affected by it, whereas heparin will affect the PTT portion of the cascade. This is why , for example, you can have dangerously thin blood on coumadin (elevated PT) and still have a normal PTT, or a normal PT but dangerously high PTT because of heparin. Or (as another example)...to make things even more complicated...your blood can be dangerously 'thin' on lovenox and still have a normal PT and PTT...etc.

And you have to remember that PT/PTT can be elevated even when pt is not taking either coumadin or heparin. Certain disease states can cause this (DIC, Liver failure, etc) so you can't assume they're elevated d/t meds if you're unsure.

As far as INR (international normalized ratio) is concerned, i believe it came about because different lab-machines (in different countries???) measured PT a little differently and had a range of varying results depending on the place/machine used. The INR is simply a standardized 'way' of measuring PT...and is more accurate.

I hope that helps a bit...

[dianah]

Holly, first of all, congrats on the new job!! Woo-hoo for you!!

Next, I did a www.vivisimo.com search and found the following article, which seemed very easy to understand (I hope you find it so too):

http://www.clotcare.com/clotcare/ptinr.aspx

good luck!! (and keep asking questions!)

[GermPhobe]

A friend told me a good way to remember which test is for which anticoagulant therapy: the correct test/therapy combo adds up to 10 letters

PTT (3) + heparin (7) = 10
PT (2) + coumadin (or warfarin) (8) = 10

It's impossible to get it mixed up now!

[VickyRN]

Check out these links

http://allnurses.com/forums/f205/can...nr-138282.html

http://allnurses.com/forums/f205/que...nr-161106.html

[CathMarkRN]

And don't forget your ACT...

[working4aBSN]

The easiest way I was taught to remember these two test was that the lower case letters in Ptt make an H for heparin and then you know that the Pt is for coumadin.
I just have always kept that in my mind and it has helped me keep them straight.

[CathMarkRN]

Originally Posted by working4aBSN

The easiest way I was taught to remember these two test was that the lower case letters in Ptt make an H for heparin and then you know that the Pt is for coumadin.
I just have always kept that in my mind and it has helped me keep them straight.

Thats a great way to remember it...thanks

[Indy]

Also, gtt is the abbreviation for drip/drop. Heparin is usually given via IV drip. PTT is for gtt.