Overview
- Platelets
- Normal Value Range
- Pathophysiology
- Special considerations
- Elevated platelet levels
- Decreased platelet levels
Nursing Points General
- Normal value ranges
- 100,000 – 450,000/mcL
- Also known as – Thrombocytes
- Pathophysiology
- Formed from Megakaryocyte
- Formed from bone marrow
- Produces 1000-3000 platelets
- Injury occurs at site
- Collagen releases activators
- Thrombocytes activate “sticky fingers”, which allow them to bind together.
- Travel to site (along with other clotting factors)
- Adhere to site, increase stimulation for other PLT, until clot is formed with fibrin
- Special considerations
- Use a lavender top tube (EDTA)
- Often sent in CBC
- Abnormal lab values
- Elevated platelets (thrombocytosis)
- Cancers
- Absence of a spleen
- Breaks down platelets
- Birth control
- Polycythemia vera
- Overproduction of cells
- Treatment via bloodletting, medications or hydration
- Decreased platelets (thrombocytopenia)
- ITP (Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura)
- Autoimmune disease
- Medications
- Hemorrhage
- Treated with transfusion
- Leukemia
- Treated with chemotherapy/radiation
- Medications
- Some diuretics
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Ranitidine
- Some antibiotics
Assessment
- Assess for signs of petechia (small purplish blemishes, indicating bleeding)
Therapeutic Management
- Control and stop hemorrhage
- Replace platelets via transfusion
- Consider stopping or changing medications that cause thrombocytopenia
Nursing Concepts
- Lab Values
- Clotting
Patient Education
- For patients who have bleeding disorders, instruct patients to be cautious of injury.
- If patient has thrombocytopenia, instruct patient to seek emergency treatment in the event of bleeding that does not stop.
**DISCLAIMER – The video states that the normal value of platelets is 100,000 – 400,000 cells/mcL. The correct information is 100,000 – 450,000 cells/mcL.