your patient has thrombocytopenia what should be report immediately to the physician?

by Miss Evelyn Lockman 9 min read

Thrombocytopenia - American Academy of Family …

2 hours ago Patients with incidental thrombocytopenia (i.e., platelet counts of 50 to 150 × 10 3 per μL) who are asymptomatic should have a platelet count repeated in one to four weeks depending on the ... >> Go To The Portal


When should I Call my doctor if I have thrombocytopenia?

Call your doctor if you develop any of the symptoms of thrombocytopenia. Be sure to call if you notice abnormal bruises or if you experience significant bleeding from your nose, mouth, vagina, rectum or urinary tract. The overall outlook is generally good. This is especially true if the cause can be identified and removed.

How is thrombocytopenia diagnosed?

The doctor will look for any signs of liver disease. To confirm the diagnosis, your doctor will order a blood test. The blood test will measure the number of platelets in your blood. Additional blood tests will be ordered at the same time to help diagnose why you have thrombocytopenia.

How do you care for a patient with thrombocytopenia?

Let’s take a look at the nursing interventions when caring for a patient with thrombocytopenia. Assess for signs of internal and external bleeding, including blood in the urine or stool, bleeding of the mucous membrane, such as the gums, and the skin. Observe the skin for petechiae, purpura, or open wounds.

What does thrombocytopenia mean in chemotherapy?

THROMBOCYTOPENIC PRECAUTIONS. Patients receiving chemotherapy may experience a decrease in the number of platelets, also known as thrombocytopenia. Platelets are blood cells whose major function is to help your blood clot and keep you from bleeding or hemorrhaging.

What can I monitor with thrombocytopenia?

A complete blood count (CBC) measures the levels of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets in your blood. For this test, a small amount of blood is drawn from a blood vessel, usually in your arm. If you have thrombocytopenia, the results of this test will show that your platelet count is low.

What is the first investigation is to be done in a patient with thrombocytopenia?

Physical examination. Important clues to diagnosis of thrombocytopenia can be obtained during systematic physical examination. First, general physical examination by inspection, palpation and auscultation can inform one on the general health of the patient e.g. the presence of comorbidities.

How do you handle a patient with thrombocytopenia?

How is thrombocytopenia managed or treated?Blood transfusion to temporarily increase platelet levels in your blood. ... Splenectomy or removal of the spleen.Steroids (prednisone or dexamethasone), immunoglobulins (antibody proteins), and other medications that reduce platelet destruction and stimulate platelet production.

What is the main complication to thrombocytopenia?

Dangerous internal bleeding can occur when your platelet count falls below 10,000 platelets per microliter. Though rare, severe thrombocytopenia can cause bleeding into the brain, which can be fatal.

When do you investigate thrombocytopenia?

Patients must be aware that they should re-present if new symptoms such as bruising or bleeding occur. Indications for urgent referral include severe thrombocytopenia (<20×109/L), severe bleeding, and red cell fragments or blasts on the blood film.

How is thrombocytopenia diagnosed?

To diagnose immune thrombocytopenia, your doctor will try to exclude other possible causes of bleeding and a low platelet count, such as an underlying illness or medications you or your child may be taking. Blood tests can check the levels of platelets.

What is the first line treatment for ITP?

The standard initial treatment for ITP is oral corticosteroids to increase platelet counts. Intravenous immunoglobulin or anti-D immunoglobulin can also increase platelet counts and are particularly useful for stimulating rapid platelet increases before planned procedures.

What happens if I have low platelets?

If you have thrombocytopenia, you don't have enough platelets in your blood. Platelets help your blood clot, which stops bleeding. For most people, it's not a big problem. But if you have a severe form, you can bleed spontaneously in your eyes, gums, or bladder or bleed too much when you're injured.

What is the workup for thrombocytopenia?

CBC and Peripheral Smear The first step in a workup for a suspected thrombocytopenic disorder is to confirm the thrombocytopenia by repeating the CBC and/or performing peripheral smear review. Hunt BJ. Bleeding and coagulopathies in critical care.

Why does thrombocytopenia cause spontaneous bleeding?

Spontaneous bleeding is a clinical hallmark of thrombocytopenia and can take multiple forms including petechiae, epistaxis, gum bleeding, or, in worst cases, intracranial hemorrhage. Those bleeding events are called " spontaneous " because they occur in the absence of overt trauma.

What is cause of low platelets?

A low platelet count can be a result of the body destroying too many platelets too quickly. Some reasons a body might destroy its platelets include : side effects of certain medications, including diuretics, some antibiotics, blood thinners, and anti-seizure medications. an enlarged spleen.

Which laboratory values would be most suggestive of the presence of severe thrombocytopenia?

Thrombocytopenia in TTP is generally severe, with a median platelet count at presentation of 10-17 × 109/L. A higher platelet count (>30 × 109/L) is suggestive of an alternate TMA, but does not exclude TTP.

Which nursing interventions would the RN implement for a client with thrombocytopenia?

Nursing interventions. Nursing interventions include prevention, early identification, and management of thrombocytopenia and its complications. Take steps to minimize the patient's risk of injury, as by preventing falls, reducing the bleeding risk, and preventing infection.

Which laboratory test would provide information about the number of megakaryocytes in a patient with thrombocytopenia?

Bone Marrow Examination Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy in patients with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) demonstrates a normal-to-increased number of megakaryocytes in the absence of other significant abnormalities.

Which nursing intervention would be appropriate in the care of a patient diagnosed with immune thrombocytopenic purpura?

Life-threatening bleeding requires conventional critical care interventions; in the patient with known ITP, high-dose parenteral glucocorticoids and IV immunoglobulin (IVIg), with or without platelet transfusions, are appropriate.

What is the normal hemoglobin level for thrombocytopenia?

As such, a platelet count of 20,000/µL is consistent with a diagnosis of thrombocytopenia. A normal hemoglobin level is 12-17 g/dL depending on the sex of the patient.

What are the complications of thrombocytopenia?

This occurs due to a decreased number of platelets in blood, which results in excessive bleeding. Fatigue, weakness, and abdominal pain are minor complications of thrombocytopenia.

What is the normal platelet count?

The normal platelet count is in the range of 150,000 to 450,000 platelets/mcL of blood. A decreased blood platelet count indicates thrombocytopenia in the patient. A patient with ITP will have thrombocytopenia because of decreased platelet production.

Why does thrombocytopenia cause dizziness?

Correct 5. Abdominal pain. A patient with thrombocytopenia will experience fainting, dizziness, and abdominal pain because of prolonged bleeding. A patient with thrombocytopenia will have tachycardia and hypotension because of decreased quantity of blood.

What does low platelet count mean?

Lightheadedness and nausea. A low platelet count, known as thrombocytopenia, may be accompanied by signs of hemorrhage, such as bruising and petechiae. A normal platelet count is 150,000 to 400,000/mm3. The symptoms listed in the other answer options are not directly associated with thrombocytopenia.

What does a nurse note in a history of an older patient?

The nurse reviews the history of an older patient and notes increased fatigue, headache, pale skin, and glossitis. The nurse suspects the patient has microcytic, hypochromic anemia and should provide what teaching?

How long should a nurse stay with a patient after a blood transfusion?

The nurse should remain with the patient for 15 minutes following initiation of transfusion. A patient experiences thrombocytopenia.

What to do if your child has thrombocytopenia?

If your child has thrombocytopenia, try to protect him or her from injuries, especially head injuries that can cause bleeding in the brain.

What are some ways to reduce platelet count?

Medicines. Avoid medicines that may affect your platelets and raise your risk of bleeding. Two examples of such medicines are aspirin and ibuprofen. These medicines may thin your blood too much. Be careful when using over-the-counter medicines—many contain aspirin or ibuprofen.

Can thrombocytopenia cause bleeding?

Severe thrombocytopenia can cause bleeding in almost any part of the body. Bleeding can lead to a medical emergency and should be treated right away. You can take steps to avoid health problems associated with thrombocytopenia. Be aware of the medicines you’re taking, avoid injuries, and contact your doctor if you have a fever or other signs ...

When to call a doctor for thrombocytopenia?

Be sure to call if you notice abnormal bruises or if you experience significant bleeding from your nose, mouth, vagina, rectum or urinary tract.

Why does thrombocytopenia occur?

In general, thrombocytopenia develops for one or more of the following reasons: The body's bone marrow fails to produce enough platelets. This can happen because: A cancer gets into the bone marrow and destroys megakaryocytes. These are the cells that produce platelets. Aplastic anemia affects platelet production.

What is a TTP?

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). This is a rare disease. Blood clots form in the smallest arteries throughout the body. Platelets are consumed by this process. People with TTP also have anemia (low red blood cell count), fever, kidney malfunction and neurological symptoms.

What is the best treatment for persistent ITP?

For persistent ITP, your doctor may recommend periodic injections of the monoclonal antibody rituximab ( Rituxan ). Splenectomy (surgical removal of the spleen). This may be necessary if ITP that has not improved with other treatment. If the spleen is removed, thrombocytopenia goes away in more than half of ITP patients.

How long does it take for thrombocytopenia to heal?

This is often the standard strategy in children with acute ITP. Most children recover without treatment within 6 weeks.

What does a blood test show?

The blood test will measure the number of platelets in your blood. Additional blood tests will be ordered at the same time to help diagnose why you have thrombocytopenia. If your doctor thinks you may be having a reaction to a drug, he or she may ask you to stop taking the medication.

What are the symptoms of thrombocytopenia?

People with severe thrombocytopenia may have abnormal bleeding almost anywhere in the body. Symptoms can include: Reddish or purplish spots in the skin (called petechiae), often concentrated in the lower legs. Excessive bruising, even from minor trauma. Blood in the urine or stool.

What is the desired outcome of thrombocytopenia?

The desired outcome is to increase platelet production and availability, minimize the risk of excessive bleeding and to treat that underlying cause. Let’s take a look at some of the subjective and objective data that your patient with thrombocytopenia may present with.

What is thrombocytopenia in the body?

Pathophysiology. Thrombocytopenia is when there is a low platelet count and an increased risk of bleeding. This is usually a side effect of another disease process such as leukemia and some immune system disorders, or the use of certain medications. Platelets, also called thrombocytes, are essential to the body as they clump together ...

What to do if you have a low platelet count?

Initiate bleeding precautions; use only electric razors, limit needlesticks, use soft toothbrush, provide safety devices to prevent injury (non-skid shoes/socks, etc.) Decreased platelet counts do not always indicate bleeding, but may lead to excessive bleeding if injury occurs. Nutrition and lifestyle education.

Why are thrombocytopenia and leukemia important?

Thrombocytes are essential to the body because as they clump together to form clots and seal blood vessels when injury or damage occurs.

What are the factors that influence thrombocytopenia?

Etiology. Many factors influence the development of thrombocytopenia such as cancers, autoimmune diseases, infections, surgery, alcohol use and certain medications. The condition can be inherited or acquired.

How to reduce the risk of bleeding?

Limit or avoid alcohol. Avoid NSAIDs. Increase intake of leafy greens. Avoid high risk activities that may result in injury to reduce the risk of bleeding; alcohol slows the production of platelets; NSAIDs increase the likelihood of bleeding; leafy greens are high in vitamin K which helps promote clotting.

Can low platelet count be inherited?

The condition can be inherited or acquired. Generally, a low platelet count develops when the bone marrow fails to produce enough thrombocytes, or the bone marrow makes enough for the body, destroys them, or uses them too quickly, or when the spleen holds on to too many platelets.

How do you know if you have a low platelet count?

Your signs and symptoms depend on your platelet count. A lower platelet count will cause more severe symptoms. You may not have any symptoms. You may bleed or bruise more easily or have tiny red or purple spots on your skin. You may feel tired or bleed from your gums or nose.

What happens when your platelets are low?

Your body may not be making enough platelets, or it may be destroying too many platelets. When platelets become low, your risk for bleeding increases. Severe bleeding may become life-threatening.

Can you take aspirin if you have thrombocytopenia?

Do not take aspirin or NSAIDs. These medicines can cause you to bleed and bruise more easily. Wear medical alert jewelry or carry a card that says you have thrombocytopenia. Ask your healthcare provider where to get these items.