Thrombocytopenia

Etiology / Pathophysiology

• Low platelet production, increased destruction, dilution, medications, infection, or immune process.
• Low platelets impair primary clot formation and increase bleeding risk.

Medications

No specific medication class was seeded for this card.

Nursing actions

• Assess petechiae, bruising, mucosal bleeding, stool/urine blood, and neurologic changes.
• Use bleeding precautions and avoid unnecessary IM injections or rectal temperatures.
• Clarify anticoagulants/antiplatelets when platelet count is critically low.

Complications

• Hemorrhage
• Intracranial bleeding
• Shock

NCLEX cues

• Petechiae and low platelets.
• New severe headache with low platelets is urgent.

Memory hooks

• Platelets plug leaks.

Labs / Diagnostics

• Platelet count
• CBC trend
• Medication review
• Coagulation tests when ordered

Review notes

• Session-derived study seed. Verify against school materials, ATI/NCLEX review sources, current orders, and facility policy before relying on details.