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Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura — NCLEX Cheat Sheet

Platelets <100k, autoimmune

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👤 By the CinnaRN Clinical Content Team 🕐 Updated 2026-07-11 🏷️ Physiological Adaptation 🔖 Free to read, print, and share

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Use this quick-reference guide to spot, treat, and prevent Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura on the NCLEX. Keep it handy during review and on exam day!

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Mechanism

Key facts

Autoantibodies destroy platelets
Often post-viral in kids

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Signs

What to look for

Petechiae, purpura, ecchymoses
Epistaxis, gum/mucosal bleeding

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Report

Notify / act now

Intracranial bleed = fatal risk
Platelets <20k → high bleed risk

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Do

Nursing actions

Corticosteroids, IVIG first-line
Bleed precautions, no NSAIDs
Splenectomy if refractory

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Quick Tip

Autoantibodies coat platelets, which are then destroyed by the spleen, dropping the platelet count.

📖 Related Topics

Hypokalemia Hyperkalemia Hyponatremia Heart Failure

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