INR Question

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If a pt is not on coumadin, will their INR be low or naturally therapeutic?One of our pts who is not on coumadin had a PT/INR performed and it was low.

Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry, ED.
Am I just really tired? Why don't I understanding why you are asking this question?

I was asking because the OP did not give an actual number in their original post. Since 0.8-1.2 is actually normal range for a person not on anticoagulant therapy, I wanted to know what the OP considered to be "low". Turns out the INR the OP was asking about was 0.8, which is within normal range, not "low".

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It was 0.8. Our normal range is 1.9 to 3.4. We call MD for low, or hold until addressed next day for a high pt/inr. Thanks very helpful.

I heard that about redheads too. My husband is a redhead/fair skin and he had to have a pt done before surgical procedure.

Thank you

All the labs list the theraputic ranges as "normal". It will show up as "low" on the lab result since the majority of pts getting this lab are on anticoagulant therapy. I confused a nurse that worked with my son's pediatrician once because I asked for some tests to be done (including PT) since he bruises so easily. He called my husband with the result the same day (since that's PT protocol) and asked him what dose of Coumadin he was on. :confused: It confused my poor husband too.

PT/INR and aPTT are both common tests before any surgery where blood loss could be an issue. There are a few blood disorders that someone could have without knowing it that would cause them to bleed more. The surgeon wants to know your husband won't have a bleeding problem BEFORE he/she cuts into him.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Flight Nurse, ER.
:yeah: What she said....
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