Critical care nursing clinics of North America
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Thrombocytopenia is defined as a platelet count less than 150,000/μL. It can be the result of decreased platelet production, sequestration of the platelets, or increased destruction of the platelets. ⋯ Treatment is determined by the underlying cause of the thrombocytopenia. This article discusses the evaluation and management of common causes of thrombocytopenia.
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Crit Care Nurs Clin North Am · Dec 2013
ReviewHemostasis, coagulation abnormalities, and liver disease.
Coagulopathy-related bleeding events are a major concern in the management of acute and chronic liver disease. The liver attempts to maintain a balance between procoagulant and anticoagulant factors, and providers struggle with poor prognostic indicators to manage bleeding and critical complications. Subtle changes in patient presentation that may require extensive provider-directed interventions, such as blood transfusions, intravenous fluid management, mitigating possible sepsis, and evaluating appropriate pharmacologic treatment, are discussed.