The Bleeding Time (BT) is a clinical test that assesses primary hemostasis—the initial response of platelets and blood vessels to an injury. It is performed by making a small, standardized incision on the forearm (using a device like a Surgicutt) and measuring the time it takes for bleeding to stop completely. The normal range is typically between 2 and 9 minutes. A prolonged bleeding time suggests a defect in primary hemostasis. This could be due to: 1) Low platelet count (thrombocytopenia), 2) Abnormal platelet function (e.g., von Willebrand disease, aspirin effect), or 3) Abnormal blood vessel function. Because it is somewhat invasive and variable, its use has declined in favor of more specific platelet function tests like the PFA-100 or platelet aggregometry, but it remains a simple global test.

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Zambia

• Joseph Soko – 101 pts

• Visual Pathway Lesions
• Positive and Negative Symptoms
• Hallucinations and Delusions
• Antipsychotic Medications
• Emergency: Environmental Emergencies