Thrombocytopenia is-

Appeared in: RUHS, Jaipur, PB B.Sc Nursing Entrance-2022

Explanation

Thrombocytopenia is the specific medical term for a deficiency of platelets in the blood.
The term can be broken down: 'thrombo-' refers to thrombocytes (the formal name for platelets), and '-penia' means deficiency or low count.
Platelets are small, colorless cell fragments in our blood that form clots and stop or prevent bleeding. A low count increases the risk of bleeding.

Option A: A low count of neutrophils is called neutropenia.
Option B: A low count of lymphocytes is called lymphopenia or lymphocytopenia.
Option D: A low count of erythrocytes (red blood cells) is known as anemia or erythrocytopenia.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Medical terminology for blood cell deficiencies as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses must monitor patients with thrombocytopenia for signs of bleeding, such as petechiae (pinpoint red spots), ecchymosis (bruising), epistaxis (nosebleeds), or hematuria (blood in urine).
Implementing bleeding precautions is a critical nursing intervention. This includes advising the patient to use a soft-bristled toothbrush, an electric razor instead of a blade, and taking measures to prevent falls.
What if? If a patient's platelet count drops to a critically low level (e.g., less than 20,000/μL), the risk of spontaneous, life-threatening internal bleeding increases significantly. The nurse must notify the healthcare provider immediately and prepare for a potential platelet transfusion.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key medical term in the question stem, which is 'Thrombocytopenia'.
Break down the word into its root components to understand its meaning. 'Thrombo-' relates to thrombocytes, the medical name for platelets.
Recognize that the suffix '-penia' means 'deficiency' or 'a lower than normal number'.
Combine the meanings: Thrombocytopenia literally means a deficiency of platelets.
Evaluate each of the given options to see which one matches this definition.
Select the option that correctly identifies a low count of platelets.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Nursing Brunner Adult Health 3SA Vol 1 Part 3 p. 114-116

E6 Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics(2024) — Volume 1 p. 1315-1317

Practise the full RUHS, Jaipur, PB B.Sc Nursing Entrance-2022

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.