title: Platelet-associated bleeding disorders.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To provide a review of platelet disorders, treatment, and nursing care.
  
  
  METHODS
  Review articles and book chapters pertaining to quantitative and qualitative platelet disorders.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Platelet-associated bleeding disorders are classified as quantitative (abnormal number), qualitative (abnormal function), or hypercoagulable states (errors in hemostasis). The resulting complications include thrombocytosis, thrombocytopenia, hypercoagulation, or bleeding dyscrasias. The administration of drugs, plasma, or platelet therapy may be beneficial to these patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with platelet disorders are at great risk of life-threatening hemorrhage and require close monitoring to prevent unnecessary sequelae. Patient instruction to prevent trauma is required.
authors.affiliation: Cancer Program, Presbyterian Healthcare Services, Albuquerque, NM.
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Shuey
mesh_terms: D001791:Blood Platelet Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000145:classification / Q000209:etiology / Q000451:nursing; D005342:Fibrinolysis / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans