Kankana Kar/LinkedIn

Jun 18, 2026, 08:19

Kankana Kar: Low Platelets Doesn’t Mean Bleeding, Sometimes it Means Clots

Kankana Kar, Associate Professor at GitaRam Institute of Nursing, shared a post on LinkedIn:

“Issue No 06

Low platelets doesn’t mean bleeding. Sometimes it means Clots.

A post-op patient on Heparin develops a sudden platelet drop from 300,000 to 120,000/mm³.

Most clinicians think:

Bleeding Risk

But the real danger is often far worse:

Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia (HIT) Type II

In HIT, platelets are not disappearing – they are being consumed to form dangerous clots that can cause:

NCLEX Pearl: A platelet count can still be ‘normal’ and yet indicate HIT if it has fallen by ≥50% from baseline.

Remember:

HIT is the same as Clotting Crisis with a Low Platelet Count

Save this post for your NCLEX review and share it with a fellow nurse preparing for boards or critical care practice.”

Kankana Kar

Health Hematology Hemostasis Hemostasis News Hemostasis Today heparin-induced thrombocytopenia HIT Kankana Kar Medicine

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