Freaking out. FFP = "fresh frozen platelets" or "fresh frozen plasma"

Started freaking out about this at home. Of course, I didn't think about it when I was ON SHIFT. Had a lady scheduled for a colonoscopy today. Her INR was still pretty high, so I got a telephone order from the physician (who wanted me to enter the order) for Vitamin K administration--no problem--and to transfuse 2 units FFP if her INR was greater than 1.8. Her INR came back 1.36, so at least this won't be an administration issue. I put in the orders for "FFP" in our system, but now I don't know if I ended up ordering PLASMA or PLATELETS. I could find out, of course. Someone please tell me, is it plasma or platelets that would be used to LOWER an INR? Is it too late for me to go back and correct the order if it is entered incorrectly? HELP!
Not a nurse yet (student here) but I have always heard it be referring to plasma

FFP is Fresh Frozen Plasma.Don't know your computer system. The nice thing is she didn't need it anyway. Chances are if there's an error and it did need to be given someone else would catch it.Platelets are just always ordered as platelets...and usually come in a 10 pack. They are only ordered if a patients platelets are low typically or they see active bleeding. I would go ahead and call and give them a heads up that you may have made a mistake and ask someone to double check the order. It's an easy fix.

Thank YOU!!He did specifically say "FFP". I did order "Set up FFP". I'm good here. Next time I'm there I will check it out on our system. *whew*.

Yeah if you put in FFP you're fine. Nothing else is referred to as FFP. At least you will really know your blood products now.

Yes, plasma. Just a quick comment though...I have seen platelets ordered in 4 and 6 packs (I had never seen an order for platelets before, so I kinda chuckled with a "6 pack" order.

So, FFP is used to lower an INR, then? Makes the blood more viscous?You guys are great. Thanks for the support.

Quote from dlcjSo, FFP is used to lower an INR, then? Makes the blood more viscous?You guys are great. Thanks for the support.

This is why, in the age of computers, telephone orders should go away!

Excellent. Thank you. And your gentle admonishment is noted and well taken. I will cease thinking of blood as either "thick" or "thin". Thanks again, all of you. You put my mind at ease AND educated me. Much better than simple berating, which is all to common in nursing.

Oh, man!! RIGHT??He gave me the orders during assessment/med pass, and I said, "So, will you be putting the orders in, sir?" He said, "NO! That's why I'm calling you!"arggh.

Quote from dlcjThank YOU!!He did specifically say "FFP". I did order "Set up FFP". I'm good here. Next time I'm there I will check it out on our system. *whew*.

op, this is also why you don't want to use "blood thinners" as a term when you teach your patient about anticoagulation. it makes them think about water in the milk and turpentine in the paint, and this is clearly not the concept they need to know when they have to take anticoagulation medications. people understand the terms "clot" and "clotting," and if you tell them that this medication makes their blood clot a little less well so they don't develop clots in their legs or heart, this then makes it easier for them to understand the idea of watching for abnormal bruising or bleeding. i know that even their doctors will tell them that they are going to be taking a "blood thinner," and this term is used in the popular press all the time. i write letters to the editor on this, and explain that what the doctor means is...