Thrombocytopenia Med Surg: Hematology Pathophysiology Platelets ≤ 150,000 Normal: 150,000 - 400,000 Thrombocytopenia occurs when clients have low platelets. Thrombocytopenia: Thrombocytopenia 150,000 or less 100,000 ≤ 50,000 Thrombocytopenia Thrombocytopenia 100,000 = MAJOR RISK 50,000 or Less = DEADLY Signs & Symptoms Huge risk for hemorrhaging, like a ticking time bomb. Any small bump or fall will cause major bleeding • Bleeding gums • Tachycardia • Petechiae (tiny red brown-purple spots on the skin) Causes Which sign is observed in a patient with thrombocytopenia? Petechiae Petechiae Complication Bleeding - Huge risk for injury, like a ticking time bomb Immunosuppressants Liver disease (Hep. / Cirrhosis) ITP - Immune thrombocytopenia purpura HESI Question PRIORITY NCLEX Kaplan Question The nurse cares for a client diagnosed with immune thrombocytopenia purpura. Which nursing diagnosis is a priority when caring for this client? Interventions Platelets Less than 100k Hold the P’s HeParin AsPirin CloPidogrel EnoxaParin Notify the HCP P P HeParin AsPirin ASPIRIN P P CloPidogrel EnoxaParin The NCLEX will give lab values & ask for priority action! THINK: what KILLS the patient first! Immunosuppressants & Surgery Labor & Epidural Exhibit WBCs Hemoglobin Platelets 1 78 BPM 120/80 98% 24 RPM Cirrhosis Exhibit Laboratory result CLOPIDOGREL Obtain vital signs 3,000 9.5 g/dL 68,000 ? Exhibit Laboratory result Laboratory result Blood group Rh factor Albumin Bilirubin WBCs Platelets A+ Negative 18,000 75,000 Platelets Platelets Ammonia 2.7 g/dL Negative 45,000 45,000 125 98.6 F Teaching NO Razors NO NSAIDS over the counter Risk for injury NSAIDs 1. Look for the most critical lab! All are less than 100,000, but cirrhosis is the lowest less than 50,000. 2. It’s your JOB as a nurse to SAVE LIVES! The NCLEX will make sure you do. 3. This is why you MUST know your numbers.
