Peak and Trough/Tobra

[ToriMom]

Hello!

I have a question about drawing peaks and troughs. This is my first time doing this at home by myself for my twelve-year-old daughter. The home health nurse taught me how to draw them out of her PICC line today. My daughter is on a one-time dose each 24 hours. The nurse told me to draw her peak 30-60 minutes after the infusion ends. She said to draw the trough 12 hours later.

I am reading that the trough is usually drawn before the medicine is infused. That would be nearly 24 hours after the infusion. I can't imagine that the levels 12 hours after infusion would be the same as 24 hours after infusion...that is where I get confused. I am going to call her doctor in the morning (it's after midnight now) but I just wanted to see what is typically done with other CF patients. I don't want to mess this up!!!

Thanks in advance for any assistance,
Michelle

 

[sugarcookie]

Wow that's really cool that your home health agency let's you draw your daughter's peak and trough levels. Just curious, where do you drop the blood levels off? Anyway, good thing you are going to call your doc in the morning just to double-check that you are doing it right.

 

[ToriMom]

The update on this question... The draw is supposed to be 12 hours after the medication infuses. Apparently with the once daily 24-hour doses the doctor wants the levels after 12 hours. To answer your question sugar cookie...I just drop the vials off at the nearest Quest Diagnostics facility. The lady there looked at me funny and asked if I drew the samples myself so maybe it isn't a common protocol for mothers to bring in samples. I'll ask about that.

Love and health to all,
Michelle

 

[triples15]

Hi Michelle,

Glad you found the answer to your question.

I agree w/sugarcookie, I'm a little surprised they're letting you draw levels yourself. I'm 32 and have been doing home IVs for many years but have never been able to draw my own levels, although I feel more than capable of doing so. I always have to a home health nurse come out, or go to my local hospital to have them drawn.

I think as long as you feel comfortable doing it there's no problem!

Take care and I hope your daughter is feeling better quickly!

Autumn 32 w/CF

 

[sugarcookie]

The update on this question... The draw is supposed to be 12 hours after the medication infuses. Apparently with the once daily 24-hour doses the doctor wants the levels after 12 hours. To answer your question sugar cookie...I just drop the vials off at the nearest Quest Diagnostics facility. The lady there looked at me funny and asked if I drew the samples myself so maybe it isn't a common protocol for mothers to bring in samples. I'll ask about that.

Love and health to all,
Michelle

Michelle, I wouldn't worry what Quest thinks regarding you dropping off your daughter's levels. As long as your home health care nurse and doctor approve, then it's all good!