Please can u give me an NURSING CARE PLAN of the disease THROMBOCYTOPENIA...?

i can not find anything in the net.. i found something but its for members only.. i need it for my big project!
thank you!

sure kamatatics ;p my email is addalinem@yahoo.com..

Thrombocytopenia is the medical term for "Low Platelet Levels" in the blood. Platelets, as you might know, are the smallest membrane-bound components of the blood made in the bone marrow by cells called megakaryocytes and are released into the bloodstream. Their major function is induction of "Hemostasis" which means control of bleeding. When a blood vessel's integrity is compromised and bleeding ensues, certain chemicals are released from the injured vessel's cells that activate and stimulate the platelets to aggregate and form a "platelet plug." This will help stop bleeding and form a platform on top of which coagulation factors give rise to fibrin and further ensure hemostasis.

So the bottom line and summary is that platelets are involved in control of bleeding. In certain medical conditions, the number of platelets in the blood decreases below a normal range; we call this thrombocytopenia. In this case, the patient falls under high risk of severe bleeding if injured. Therefore, as part of the nursing care for thrombocytopenic patients, one must ensure that the patient is not at high risk for falls or other types of injury that may place them at risk for excessive bleeding. Certain concommittant medical conditions such as hyperglycemia in diabetes, uremia in renal failure, immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), DIC, sepsis, and patients taking blood thinners such as aspirin or clopidogrel (plavix) one must be particularly aware of the platelet status, because all of these conditions cause malfuntioning of the existing platelets and may lead to severe, even spontaneous bleeding through mucosal surfaces, intravenous lines, etc.

Normal platelet rage in the blood is 150,000 to 350,000 per mL of blood. Thrombocytopenia to as low as 50,000 may be tolerable, but lower levels are associated with higer risk of bleeding and the patient might require platelet transfusions.


F. Rafii
Year III Doctoral Candidate
Keck School of Medicine
University of Southern California

The thrombocytopenia means decreased platelet count. Depending on the platelet count the risk to the patient differs. If it is below 20,000/cmm sudden bleeding may precipitate. If above this level usually it is not fatal.
Nursing care includes:1. Understanding the normal values & the risk attached to theses values. 2. To note early signs & symptoms of hemorrhage which may be in the form of petichae or gum bleeding or internal organ bleeding. 3. To know list of drugs that can affect function or production of platelets. 4. Avoid trauma & injury to patient.

Hey are you in nursing school too? Let's trade e-mail and help one another! kmatatics@yahoo.com