I am not a new nurse, and yet I still do not know the definitive answer to this question since I've heard so many nurses argue both sides. The question: Is it ok to draw a ptt from a PICC for the pt on a heparin gtt? That is, if you flush w/ 10cc and discard 10cc, have the heparin off for like 10 minutes or so, and draw from the lumen that did not have the heparin infusing?
Like I said, many nurses have no problem doing that and then there are others who are adamant that a ptt must be obtained via peripheral stick. So what do you do and why? Thanx.
I will tell you all that I did see a similar thread on this topic posted about a year ago and someone made a comment something to the effect that the body's response to venipuncture affected clotting factor levels. Very insightful. Any thoughts to add to this?