Which condition is defined by a low platelet count?

Which condition is defined by a low platelet count?

• A. Anemia
• B. Thrombocytopenia
• C. Leukocytosis
• D. Thrombocytosis

Answer: (B)

Platelets help stop bleeding by forming clots. When their number is lower than normal, the condition is called thrombocytopenia. This means clotting is less efficient, so a person may notice easy bruising, frequent nosebleeds, gum bleeding, or longer-than-usual bleeding after cuts. Normal platelet counts are roughly 150,000 to 450,000 per microliter; counts below that threshold define thrombocytopenia. The other terms relate to different blood components: anemia is a low red blood cell count, leukocytosis is a high white blood cell count, and thrombocytosis is a high platelet count, which can raise clotting risk. So the term for a low platelet count is thrombocytopenia.

Platelets help stop bleeding by forming clots. When their number is lower than normal, the condition is called thrombocytopenia. This means clotting is less efficient, so a person may notice easy bruising, frequent nosebleeds, gum bleeding, or longer-than-usual bleeding after cuts. Normal platelet counts are roughly 150,000 to 450,000 per microliter; counts below that threshold define thrombocytopenia. The other terms relate to different blood components: anemia is a low red blood cell count, leukocytosis is a high white blood cell count, and thrombocytosis is a high platelet count, which can raise clotting risk. So the term for a low platelet count is thrombocytopenia.