The nurse expects to find purpura, petechiae and symptoms of infections such as fever and sore mouth or symptoms of pneumonia.
The patient has normal white blood cell count (the normal range is 4500 to 10500/ul) and low numbers of platelet (the normal range is 150000 to 450000/ul) which is a condition called thrombocytopenia. Also, the patient has low absolute neutrophil count (the normal range is 1500 to 8000/ul) which is a condition called neutropenia. Patients suffering from thrombocytopenia are in danger of uncontrollable and excessive bleeding. Purpura is a condition of excessive bruising, caused by bleeding underneath the skin. Petechiae shows when levels of platelets drop significantly. People suffering from neutropenia are in great risk of infections.
