Please help me with PT, PTT, INRs!!

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Specializes in ACNP-BC.

Hi! I'm reviewing lab values for the NCLEX, and I would really appreciate it if someone who is not confused still like me could explain if I am getting this right about what PT, PTT and INR values are supposed to be. I think these are the normal values: PT 10-15 sec, PTT one book said 60-70 sec and another said 20-45 sec...which is right?!?! and INR normal value is 2.0-3.0

So then to be in the therapeutic range, PT and PTT should be 1.5-2 times the normal value, right? But what about INR? does INR just stay 2-3 for the therapeutic range as well? And what is this about APTT? I read it's normal range is 30-40 sec and should also be 1.5-2 times normal value to be in the therapeutic range....but why use APTT versus just using PTT? I never heard about APTT in nursing school! Also, you check PTT for heparin, but check PT and INR for Coumadin/warfarin, right? Please tell me someone if I am getting this right! Oh and if the times are too low, it means the patient is at risk for clotting too fast and if it is too high they're at risk for bleeding, right?

-Christine

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Specializes in Med/Surge.
christvs said:
Hi! I'm reviewing lab values for the NCLEX, and I would really appreciate it if someone who is not confused still like me could explain if I am getting this right about what PT, PTT and INR values are supposed to be. I think these are the normal values: PT 10-15 sec, PTT one book said 60-70 sec and another said 20-45 sec...which is right?!?! and INR normal value is 2.0-3.0

So then to be in the therapeutic range, PT and PTT should be 1.5-2 times the normal value, right? But what about INR? does INR just stay 2-3 for the therapeutic range as well? And what is this about APTT? I read it's normal range is 30-40 sec and should also be 1.5-2 times normal value to be in the therapeutic range....but why use APTT versus just using PTT? I never heard about APTT in nursing school! Also, you check PTT for heparin, but check PT and INR for Coumadin/warfarin, right? Please tell me someone if I am getting this right! Oh and if the times are too low, it means the patient is at risk for clotting too fast and if it is too high they're at risk for bleeding, right?

-Christine

OK-take a deep breath. You know your stuff from what you have said above! The bigger picture is how are you going to treat the patient if the ratio is high or low. Girl, you are going to kick butt on the NCLEX! You will pass!

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christvs said:
Hi! I'm reviewing lab values for the NCLEX, and I would really appreciate it if someone who is not confused still like me could explain if I am getting this right about what PT, PTT and INR values are supposed to be. I think these are the normal values: PT 10-15 sec, PTT one book said 60-70 sec and another said 20-45 sec...which is right?!?! and INR normal value is 2.0-3.0

So then to be in the therapeutic range, PT and PTT should be 1.5-2 times the normal value, right? But what about INR? does INR just stay 2-3 for the therapeutic range as well? And what is this about APTT? I read it's normal range is 30-40 sec and should also be 1.5-2 times normal value to be in the therapeutic range....but why use APTT versus just using PTT? I never heard about APTT in nursing school! Also, you check PTT for heparin, but check PT and INR for Coumadin/warfarin, right? Please tell me someone if I am getting this right! Oh and if the times are too low, it means the patient is at risk for clotting too fast and if it is too high they're at risk for bleeding, right?

-Christine

Hi! The therapeutic INR range is 2-3. Normal value is less than 1. You are correct on everything else. You will do fine on the NCLEX! Good luck! Olivia, RN

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Good job! You know your stuff. ?

Here's an easy way I found to remember that ptt is for Heparin and pt is for Coumadin: when you put the 2 lower-case t's together, they look like an "H" -- for Heparin! (I don't know about you, but I could never remember which lab test went with which med!)

Amy ?

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Specializes in ICU/CCU/MICU/SICU/CTICU.

You are correct on everything that you said. One thing to know is the antedotes for a high result. You are going to do a great job!

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Coumadin is measured by PT/INR. INR is the international test to make sure all labs have the same PT. Anyway Normal PT is 10-15 seconds and INR is 0.8-1.2. Therapeutic for both is 2-3 times.

Heparin is measured by aPTT/PTT and the normal range is 25-41 seconds. Therapeutic is 2-3 times.

Good luck on your NCLEX, you will do great.

Raustin5

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Well I find weird ways to remember things but this might stick with you to help you with values and to keep PT vs PTT. The book I happened to use had these values. So here we go...

Remember PT as Pre-Teen and the age of a pre-teen is 11-13.

INR I just have to remember 2-3 . This is the one they use for coumadin. Vit. K is the Antidote.

PTT I remember as Prime Teaching Time is 25-35 which is the typical age for some of us that needed a break from school

Before going back. This is the one they use for heparin. Protamine sulfate is the Antidote for this.

Sorry if this method makes no sense to you, but it with a lot of my other crazy saying has gotten most of the critical numbers

Remembered in the first 5 months of nursing school.

But if it helps, awsome. Good luck with NCLEX

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