Bleeding and Infection for the NCLEX

Being able to recognize the signs of bleeding and infection is an absolute must for the NCLEX! It can affect every system. I consider this a general principle that will help you answer many types of NCLEX questions.

What are the signs of bleeding?

• bright red blood coming from any orifice/opening (that’s a no-brainer)
• low blood pressure <90/60 and high heart rate >100 (fluid volume deficit)
• a drop in hemoglobin and hematocrit from one day to the next
• very low platelets <150,000
• black, tarry stool called melena
• blood in the vomit called hematemesis
• small red dots on the skin called petechiae
• excessive bruising on the skin
• blood in the urine called hematuria
• nose bleeds called epistaxis

What are the signs of infection?

• any fluid that is cloudy, green, yellow or gray (called purulent drainage)
• fluids can be urine, wound drainage, eye drainage, ear drainage, respiratory drainage
• wound drainage that smells bad is called malodorus (mal means bad in French)
• pain, edema and warmth
• pain that is not relieved by pain meds
• white blood cell count greater than 10,000 (normal is 5-10K)
• temperature > 101F or >38

Are they any signs that are obvious that I’m forgetting? Post them below!