Authentic and Spurious Causes of Thrombocytopenia (Online Course)

(based on 459 customer ratings)

Author: Betty Ciesla MS, MT(ASCP)SH
Reviewers: Barbara Caldwell, MS, MT(ASCP)SH; Stephanie Clarke, MS, MT (ASCP)

Platelets are the first responders to a bleeding incident. If the full platelet force does not arrive on the scene, bleeding will continue and peticheae, bruises, and perhaps even hemorrhaging will occur. A decreased platelet force (thrombocytopenia) may be caused by several diseases or disorders. On the other hand, a low platelet count may not actually mean that the full platelet force is not available to respond. It is up to the laboratory professional to determine if there is anything in the collection procedure that has artificially produced this low count. This course will increase your understanding of various authentic causes of thrombocytopenia and will alert you to various causes of spurious thrombocytopenia that you, as a medical laboratory scientist should be able to recognize and correct to prevent false reporting of thrombocytopenia.

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Continuing Education Credits

Objectives

  • Define thrombocytopenia.
  • Recognize clinical signs that are associated with thrombocytopenia.
  • Identify conditions that cause the destruction of platelets.
  • Describe current treatments for various conditions that cause thrombocytopenia.
  • Identify conditions that cause decreased platelet production.
  • Recognize and correct falsely-decreased platelet counts.

Customer Ratings

(based on 459 customer ratings)

Course Outline

  • Introduction
      • Definition of Thrombocytopenia
      • Signs Associated With Thrombocytopenia
      • Which of the following is a clinical sign that is associated with thrombocytopenia?
  • Conditions causing increased destruction and consumption of platelets
      • Increased platelet destruction
    • Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura
      • Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP)
      • Acute Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia
      • Chronic Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura
      • Thrombocytopenia in Neonates
      • Treatment for ITP
      • Match each of the statements listed below with the type of ITP with which it is most closely associated.
    • Drug-induced Thrombocytopenia
      • Drug-induced thrombocytopenia
      • Pathophysiology of Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia (HIT)
      • Additional Complications Related to Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia
      • When heparin-induced thrombocytopenia occurs, the platelet count noticeably decreases IMMEDIATELY after heparin treatment begins.
    • Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura and Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome
      • Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP) and Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS)
      • Laboratory Findings
      • Treatment of TTP
      • Which of the following bacteria is often linked to diarrhea-associated hemolytic uremic syndrome?
    • Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation
      • Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC)
      • Clinical Signs and Symptoms
      • Laboratory Findings
      • Treatment of DIC
      •   Which of the following laboratory results would you find with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) but NOT with thrombotic thrombocyto...
  • Conditions causing decreased platelet production
      • Diseases and Disorders That Affect the Bone Marrow and Decrease Platelet Production
      • Patients undergoing chemotherapy treatments will have deficiencies in platelet numbers as well as red and white blood cells.
  • Other causes of thrombocytopenia
      • Increased Splenic Sequestration and Thrombocytopenia
      • Dilutional Thrombocytopenia
  • Variables that cause a false thrombocytopenia
      • Preanalytic Variable Leading to False Thrombocytopenia
      • Pseudo-thrombocytopenia: Platelet Satellitism and Platelet Clumping
      • Importance of Addressing Platelet Variables
      • Which of these conditions is associated with a pseudo-thrombocytopenia?
  • References
      • References

Additional Information

Level of instruction: Intermediate

Intended Audience: Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians, and other health care personnel who have an interest in this subject matter. This course is also appropriate for medical laboratory science students and pathology residents.
 
Author information: Betty Ciesla, MS, MT(ASCP)SH is a faculty member at Morgan State University in Maryland. She holds an MS degree in Biomedical Communication. She has presented at national workshops in Hematology and Coagulation, authored several book chapters and articles on topics in Hematology, and served on the ASCP’s Tech Sample Committee, Education Program Committee, and most recently, the Hematology Examination Committee.
 
Reviewer information: Barbara Caldwell, MS, MT(ASCP)SH is the administrative director of clinical laboratory services at Montgomery General Hospital in Olney, Maryland. She is also an experienced educator, having served as a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in the Department Of Medical and Research Technology. Ms. Caldwell holds an MS degree from the University of Maryland School of Medicine. She has authored numerous textbook chapters, articles, and abstracts related to topics in Hematology.
 
Reviewer information: Stephanie Clarke, MS, MT (ASCP) has been teaching Medical Laboratory Science at the University of New Hampshire since fall 2014 and has served as the Assistant Program Director since fall 2015. She currently teaches Phlebotomy, Hematology, Hemostasis, Immunology/Serology and Case Studies in Hematology. 
 
Course description: This course will examine conditions that can cause thrombocytopenia and variables that may produce pseudo-thrombocytopenia. Normal platelet morphology, platelet distribution and symptomology related to decreased platelets will be reviewed.




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