Final answer:
To get accurate aPTT results in hemophilia patients with venous access devices, the catheter should be flushed with heparin. This prevents clotting within the catheter that can affect the test. Accurate monitoring of clotting factors is crucial in the treatment of hemophilia.
Step-by-step explanation:
To obtain accurate activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT) times in patients who have hemophilia and have blood drawn from implanted venous access devices, it is important to flush the catheter with heparin before collecting the blood sample. This is because heparin prevents the blood within the catheter from clotting and ensures that it does not interfere with the aPTT results. Heparin is an anticoagulant, which helps in obtaining a proper sample that reflects the patient's actual clotting status without contamination or clotting from the catheter itself.Hemophilia is a genetic disorder characterized by an inability to produce suitable amounts of certain clotting factors, which are substances in the blood that help control bleeding. In hemophilia A, which is the most common type, there is a deficiency of factor VIII. In contrast, hemophilia B is associated with a factor IX deficiency. Accurate aPTT measurement is crucial for monitoring the clotting ability of individuals with hemophilia, especially during treatment which may involve regular infusions of clotting factors.