Beyond the Bloody Mess: Hematologic Assessment

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2012

Disciplines

Critical Care Nursing | Medicine and Health Sciences | Nursing

Abstract

Hematologic assessment is part of the routine assessment of acute and critically ill patients. Nurses must be aware of the reference ranges for complete blood cell counts and common coagulation profiles. A case study is presented of an elderly patient, taking warfarin for atrial fibrillation, who falls and sustains a head laceration. The subsequent assessment, hospital course, and treatments required are outlined.

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