platelet
Medical term Routine Blood Collections
Thrombocyte: a small cell fragment that sticks at a vessel injury to form a plug and helps clotting. Low counts raise bleeding risk.
Related terms
- phlebitisInflammation of a vein, most often from a clot (thrombophlebitis); a phlebitic vein is avoided for…
- phlebotomyDrawing blood, by venipuncture or skin puncture, for laboratory testing, donation or treatment.
- plantar surfaceThe sole of the foot. Infant heel punctures are made on its medial or lateral sides.
- plasmaThe liquid part of unclotted blood, separated by centrifuging a tube that contains an anticoagulant; it…
- potassium oxalateAnticoagulant often paired with sodium fluoride in gray-top glucose tubes.
- povidone-iodineIodine antiseptic. Carried into a sample it may falsely raise potassium, phosphorus or uric acid, so alcohol…
- probingMoving the needle around blindly under the skin to find a missed vein; WHO advises avoiding it because it…
- prolonged bleedingBleeding at the puncture site past about 5 minutes; keep pressing, never bandage over active bleeding, and…
Study Routine Blood Collections