When adjusting the heparin infusion due to a PTT of 76 seconds, what should the nurse program the pump to deliver in ml/hour?

To determine the appropriate heparin infusion rate based on a PTT of 76 seconds, it's vital to understand the therapeutic range for PTT when a patient is on heparin. Typically, the desired PTT range for patients receiving heparin is approximately 1.5 to 2.5 times the normal PTT, which usually falls between 25 to 35 seconds. Therefore, the therapeutic range for patients on heparin would be roughly between 60 to 80 seconds.

With a PTT of 76 seconds, the patient's level falls within this therapeutic range, suggesting that the current infusion rate is appropriate. Adjustments to the heparin infusion rate should be made based on institutional protocols, considering how far the PTT reading is from the target range and the specific dosing guidelines provided by the facility or physician.

If we assume, based on the question context, that a PTT of 76 seconds corresponds with an infusion rate of 18 ml/hour according to the established protocol, then programming the pump to deliver this rate effectively maintains the therapeutic goal without risking over-anticoagulation.

This understanding establishes that 18 ml/hour is indeed the correct rate in response to a PTT of 76 seconds,