Word parts
What it means
The body stops bleeding in three steps: the blood vessel narrows, plateletPLAYT-litA tiny cell fragment in the blood that sticks together at a wound to help form a clot.Full entry stick together to form a plug, and coagulationkoh-ag-yuh-LAY-shunThe process by which blood changes from a liquid into a gel, forming a clot.coagul clot-ation processFull entry makes a fibrin clot that seals the hole. In surgery, hemostasis also means the methods used to control bleeding, such as pressure, clamps, ties and cautery.
For the nurse
Apply firm, direct pressure to a bleeding site. Clients with low platelets, liver disease or on anticoagulants need longer pressure after needle sticks and procedures.
At a glance
| Spanish | hemostasia |
|---|
Easy to confuse with
homeostasis
The body's way of keeping its inside conditions, such as temperature, fluids and blood sugar, steady.
hemolysis
The breaking apart of red blood cells, which releases hemoglobin into the blood.
Related terms
hemorrhage
A large loss of blood from a blood vessel, inside the body or out of it.
hem/o
A word part that means blood.
platelet
A tiny cell fragment in the blood that sticks together at a wound to help form a clot.
coagulation
The process by which blood changes from a liquid into a gel, forming a clot.