Hematologic Emergencies Flashcards
the ability of the body to control bleeding and clotting
4 major actions involved in achieving hemostasis
Local vasoconstriction to reduce blood flow.
Platelet aggregation at the injury site and formation of a platelet plug.
Formation of a fibrin mesh to strengthen the plug.
Dissolution of the clot after tissue repair is complete.
NOT NEED TO KNOW 4 major actions
Hemostasis:
Affect body’s ability control bleeding, clotting or both
DIC: Disseminated intravascular coagulation
a platelet count less than 150,000/mm3 or a decrease of greater than 50% from the last measurement.
Lab values in DIC and HIT
Thrombocytopenia:
Affect body’s ability control bleeding, clotting or both
HIT: Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia
Aka Consumptive coagulopathy - continuous process of trying to heal damaged endothelium depletes the clotting factors, RBCs, platelets
Characterized by bleeding and thrombosis
Causes
Description - Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)
Obstetric Complications
Infections
Neoplasms
Massive Tissue Injury
Miscellaneous
Causes
Abruptio placentae
Placenta previa
Retained dead fetus
Septic abortion
Amniotic fluid embolism
Toxemia of pregnancy
Obstetric Complications
Gram-negative sepsis
Gram-positive sepsis
Meningococcemia
Rocky Mountain spotted fever
Histoplasmosis
Aspergillosis
Malaria
Infections
Carcinomas of pancreas, prostate, lung, and stomach
Acute promyelocytic leukemia
Tumor lysis syndrome
Chemotherapy
Neoplasms
Trauma
Crush injuries
Burns
Extensive surgery
Heat stroke
Acute transplant rejection
Massive Tissue Injury
Acute intravascular hemolysis
Snakebite
Giant hemangioma
Shock
Heat stroke
Vasculitis
Aortic aneurysm
Liver disease
Cardiac arrest
Miscellaneous
Damage to the endothelium that results in activation of the coagulation mechanism
Caused by damage to endothelium - most common causes: sepsis, trauma, metabolic acidosis, hypoperfusion, OB emergencies
Pathophysiology - Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)
CM
Laboratory findings
Medical management
Nursing management
Assessment and dx - Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)
Integumentary
Cardiopulmonary
Renal
Gastrointestinal
Neurologic
Clotting and bleeding at same time
Excessive clotting (thrombi)
Excessive bleeding
CM
Signs r/t hemorrhage: Bleeding from gums, venipunctures, and old surgical sites; epistaxis; eccymoses
Signs r/t thrombi: peripheral cyanosis, gangrene
Integumentary
Signs r/t hemorrhage: hemoptysis
Signs r/t thrombi: dysrhythmias, chest pain, acute MI, PE, respiratory failure
Cardiopulmonary
Signs r/t hemorrhage: hematuria
Signs r/t thrombi: oliguria, AKI
Renal
Signs r/t hemorrhage: abdominal distention, hemorrhage
Signs r/t thrombi: diarrhea, constipation, bowel infarct
Gastrointestinal
Signs r/t hemorrhage: subarachnoid hemorrhage
Signs r/t thrombi: altered LOC, ischemic stroke
Neurologic
Due to body trying to heal endothelium which eventually disrupts hemostasis process
Thrombus continuously formed on endothelial wall until big enough to occlude blood vessel
Thrombi (blood clots) in peripheral capillaries
Smaller blood vessels occlude first - Occlude distal arteries causing cyanosis (fingers, toes, ears, nose). And smaller vessels in organs
Occlude blood flow to organs → Organ ischemia → Organ failure
Depletes of clotting factors, platelets, and RBCs
Excessive clotting (thrombi)
Clotting factors depleted to continuous activation of coag pathways
Because clotting factors depleted not any left in body when needs to form a clot
Subtle signs: oozing around IV site, blood nose, bruise easier
Bleeding around IVs, ecchymosis
Excessive bleeding
After determine pt has CM of bleeding and thrombus - look at lab values
Studies in DIC
1. look at platelets - DIC first see 50% drop in platelets or platelet count <50,000
2. D-dimer, aPTT, fibrinogen levels
In addition to labs associated with coag pathways - assess end organ perfusion
Continuous activation of coagulation pathways → consumption of coagulation factors
Increased fibrinolytic activity
Impaired regulatory function - ↓levels of inhibitory factors such as protein C, factor V, and End-organ failure
Laboratory findings
Prothrombin time (PT)
>12.5 s
Platelets
<50,000/mm3 or at least 50% drop from baseline
Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
>40 s
D-dimer
>250 ng/mL
Fibrin degradation products (FDP)
>40 mg/mL
Fibrinogen
<100 mg/dL
Studies in DIC
↑ activated partial thromboplastin time (PTT), ↑ prothrombin time (PT), and ↑ international normalized ratio (INR), ↓Fibrinogen levels
The platelet count may be within normal ranges - Declining trend in values.
Unexpected drop of at least 50% in the platelet count.
Continuous activation of coagulation pathways → consumption of coagulation factors
↑ fibrinolytic activity increases the levels of by-products
D-Dimers - result only from dissolution of clots.
Increased fibrinolytic activity
Kidney→ BUN & Creat. - elevated: poor perfusion to kidneys due to thrombosis occluding blood flow in organ
Liver→ LFTs - elevated: poor perfusion to kidneys due to thrombosis occluding blood flow in organ
Lungs →assess Respiratory effort, ABG’s (acute resp acidosis) = thrombosis in pulm vasculature have shortness of air that progresses to pulmonary failure; ABGs correlate
Brain → Neuro changes: CT to rule out thrombi in brain
Impaired regulatory function - ↓levels of inhibitory factors such as protein C, factor V, and End-organ failure
Focused on Prevention - not prevent most causes - better outcomes if identify going into DIC early
Maintain organ perfusion/Prevent end-organ ischemia/damage
Slowing consumption of coagulation factors – Heparin
Medical management
Support BP - + Inotropes - also want orders that will help circulate volume
Euvolemia - also want orders that will help circulate volume
Continuous IV fluids
RBC’s low due to hemorrhage - packed cell
Maintaining adequate BP and adequate evolumenia promotes adequate blood flow to the organs
Platelet transfusion: Platelet depletion (less than 50,000/mm3)
Cryoprecipitate: Fibrinogen levels less than 100 mg/dL
Fresh frozen plasma: Prolonged prothrombin time
Maintain organ perfusion/Prevent end-organ ischemia/damage
Determine by lab values
Infuse platelets if platelet value <50000
Cryo if fibrinogen <100
FFP protime prolonged
Beneficial in obstetric emergencies such as retained placenta or incomplete abortion, severe arterial occlusions, or MODS caused by microemboli
Slowing consumption of coagulation factors – Heparin
Assessment and monitoring
Focuses on Support vital functions
Initiate bleeding precautions
Meticulous skin care
Skin care: Assessed for signs of bleeding and thrombi: petechiae/petechial rashes, ecchymosis, epistaxis, hematuria, lumps or bumps that indicate hematoma. . .
Nursing management