Clotting Flashcards
Ecchymoses
Larger bruise caused by blood vessel leaking under skin
Petechiae
<4mm
Flat, red, non-blanching spots.
From blood vessels leaking under skin.
Purpura
4-10mm
Flat, red, non-blanching spots.
From blood vessels leaking under skin.
Embolus
Anything that causes an embolism
(blood clot or air bubble)
Embolism
Blocking of an artery
Fibrin
Forms a mesh-like scaffold around the platelet plug to hold the clot in place. The last step of clotting.
Fibrinogen
Protein that converts into fibrin
Fibrinolysis
Breakdown of blood clots
Hematopoiesis
The process that makes all blood cells
Hemostasis
The process of stopping bleeding
Prothrombin
Forms thrombin
(Vitamin K-dependent coagulation factor)
Thrombin
Enzyme that converts fibrinogen to fibrin
Thrombocyte
Platelet
Thrombocytopenia
Too little platlets
Thrombocytosis
Too many platlets
Thrombus
blood clot
Menorrhagia
Excessive or long-lasting menstrual bleeding
What are the steps in the clotting process?
- Vasoconstriction
- Platelet plug forms (of platelets & collagen)
- Activates clotting factors
- Coagulation cascade that ends in fibrin
What is the difference between the intrinsic and extrinsic coagulation cascade?
Intrinsic: activated by damage to a vessel (via collagen exposure)
Extrinsic: activated by damage to tissue
Top 3 consequences of excessive clotting
Brain - embolic stroke
Heart - heart attack
Lungs - embolism
Top 2 risk factors for excessive clotting
- Immobility = venous stasis = clots
- Smoking causes vasoconstriction
Top 2 risk factors for ineffective clotting
Meds, genetics (hemophilia)
What are signs of a clot in the lungs?
Tachypnea, low o2 sat
Top sign of a clot in the heart?
A clot in the brain?
Heart: chest pain
Brain: ALOC, stroke signs
