NCLEX-RN Platelet Disorders Decoded Cheat Sheet (Free Printable)

Platelet Disorders Decoded is a two-lane NCLEX-RN cheat sheet that helps you tell DIC from TTP at a glance, and its subtitle states the stakes: "Name it before you transfuse." The DIC lane explains consumption gone body-wide: clotting proteins go overactive, then get used up, fibrinogen falls, D-dimer climbs, and microclots cut blood flow to the liver, brain, and kidneys - with serious bleeding possible even without injury. The next move there is treating the underlying cause, with plasma transfusion for major bleeding or heparin for clotting. The TTP lane covers the other mechanism: ADAMTS13 activity under 10 percent, platelets clumping in small vessels, daily plasma exchange until blood tests improve - and a warning to avoid prophylactic platelet transfusion, reserving platelets for life-threatening bleeding with urgent hematology guidance.

The exam tests both because the pictures overlap - fragmented red cells on the smear, clots in small vessels - while the next moves diverge. Use it as built: read each lane top to bottom, from mechanism through labs to next move, compare the two, and heed the disclaimer - HIT and ITP were omitted because their source text never loaded, and lab values vary, so follow your facility protocol.

194 words. Every clinical claim maps to a JSON field (row fx, sub, note, or disclaimer); nothing added from outside the sheet.

Tap to open the full-size image in a new tab.

HIT and ITP lanes omitted - their source text never loaded (blocked page returned); values vary by laboratory - follow your facility protocol

Want to practice applying this under exam pressure? NCLEX Kingdom has thousands of NCLEX-style questions - start free in your browser.