PT/INR

[Ted's Wife]

can anyone explain how to read the values for pt/inr?

i have a question on a review sheet that states the value as 20sec/2.2 and i'm supposed to know if it's within normal range.

oh, and the make-believe patient is a 52 year old male scheduled for a cholecystectomy. that's all the information i've got.

thanks!

[morte, LPN, LVN]

you need to determine what the normal range is, you have learned it or have it in reference material. Short of that google....

[Sun0408, ASN, RN]

If you are a nursing student or nurse, Yes, you should know these values and what they mean. If you don't, you should have resources to assist you until you have them memorized. The first set of numbers is the PT the second set is INR. So now the question is : 1. are they normal, low, or high.. 2. what do these numbers mean for the pt? Are they at risk and if so for what?

Critical thinking at its best :)

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

PT/INR (and PTT) are lab values that you are expected to know when you are in school. Did you not learn this?

First, think about what the normal range for these lab values is and what out of range results mean. Next, why is this significant for this patient? Why are we monitoring these lab values on this patient? What implications do these values have for a patient scheduled for surgery?

The previous poster is correct that you need to use your critical thinking skills in this problem. Us giving you the answer won't help you.

[Ted's Wife]

I wasn't expecting anyone to "give" me the answer. Thanks for your help.

[Sun0408, ASN, RN]

If you didn't want us to "give" you the answer, what is the purpose of your question? Im confused now..

[Ted's Wife]

if you don't, you should have resources to assist you until you have them memorized.

i thought this was a resource to assist me. i've used this site several times in the past and never had anyone tell me to figure it out for myself.

but it's ok because i did in fact figure it out for myself.

no big deal.