Deficiency of circulating platelets is termed as?

RUHS, Jaipur, PB B.Sc Nursing Entrance-2018

Medical & Surgical Nursing

Easy

Appeared in: RUHS, Jaipur, PB B.Sc Nursing Entrance-2018

Explanation

Thrombocytopenia is the specific medical term for a deficiency in the number of circulating platelets (thrombocytes).
The term is a combination of 'thrombocyte' (platelet) and the suffix '-penia' (deficiency).
A normal platelet count ranges from 150,000 to 450,000 platelets per microliter of blood. Thrombocytopenia is diagnosed when the count falls below this range.
Platelets are essential for hemostasis (the process of stopping bleeding), so a low count increases the risk of spontaneous bleeding and hemorrhage.

Option A: Haemophilia is a disorder of coagulation, not a deficiency of platelets. It is caused by a genetic defect leading to a lack of specific clotting factors, most commonly Factor VIII (Haemophilia A) or Factor IX (Haemophilia B).
Option B: Sickle cell anaemia is a genetic disorder that affects red blood cells, causing them to assume a rigid, sickle-like shape. This primarily leads to anemia, pain crises, and organ damage, not a primary deficiency of platelets.
Option C: Leukemia is a type of cancer affecting the blood and bone marrow, characterized by the rapid production of abnormal white blood cells. While leukemia can lead to thrombocytopenia by crowding out normal platelet-producing cells in the bone marrow, it is not the term for the platelet deficiency itself.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Hematological Terminology as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
For a patient with thrombocytopenia, a key nursing responsibility is implementing 'bleeding precautions'. This includes using a soft-bristle toothbrush, avoiding intramuscular injections and rectal temperatures, applying pressure to venipuncture sites for longer, and continuously monitoring for signs of bleeding like petechiae, ecchymosis, or hematuria.
Patient education is vital. The nurse must teach the patient and family to avoid activities that increase the risk of injury (e.g., contact sports) and to avoid medications that can interfere with platelet function, such as aspirin and other NSAIDs.
What if? If a patient with thrombocytopenia develops a fever, it is a medical emergency. The nurse must escalate care immediately. The low platelet count increases the risk of severe bleeding, and the fever may signal an infection that the body cannot fight effectively, potentially leading to sepsis and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC).

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core components of the question: 'deficiency' and 'platelets'.
Next, analyze the medical terminology. Recall or deduce that 'thrombo-' relates to platelets or blood clots, and the suffix '-penia' means a deficiency or low number.
Combine the parts: 'Thrombo-' + '-penia' directly translates to a deficiency of platelets.
Evaluate the options. 'Haemophilia' relates to clotting factors, 'Sickle cell anaemia' to red blood cells, and 'Leukemia' to white blood cells.
Based on the terminology breakdown, eliminate the distractors and select 'Thrombocytopenia' as the only term that specifically describes a low platelet count.

Concept Tested & Keywords

QZGvWAQBkGsQhfPD0N88a3

E6 PATHOLOGY QUICK REVIEWBased on Harsh Mohan Textbook of PATHOLOGY p. 133-135

E6 Medicine Harrison 22e Part 1 p. 514-516

E6 Medicine Davidson Principles Practice 24e p. 949-951