Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 13, 2026

The Nijmegen Hemostasis Assay: Simultaneous Fluorogenic Measurement of Thrombin and Plasmin Generation in a Single Well
Published on: February 27, 2026
Screening tests of the hemostatic system
The hemostatic system consists of the subcutaneous tissue/vessel wall/platelet system and the coagulation cascade. Hemostasis occurs initially through the interaction between circulating platelets and subendothelial collagen, so that a platelet plug is formed. The platelet plug produces hemostasis, but is unstable and will disintegrate unless the coagulation cascade generates fibrin. The presence of the fibrin in the plug results in permanent hemostasis. The five tests of hemostasis - platelet count, bleeding time, partial thromboplastin time, prothrombin time and Factor XIII assay - are described.
The hemostatic system consists of the subcutaneous tissue/vessel wall/platelet system and the coagulation cascade. Hemostasis occurs initially through the interaction between circulating platelets and subendothelial collagen, so that a platelet plug is formed. The platelet plug produces hemostasis, but is unstable and will disintegrate unless the coagulation cascade generates fibrin. The presence of the fibrin in the plug results in permanent hemostasis. The five tests of hemostasis - platelet count, bleeding time, partial thromboplastin time, prothrombin time and Factor XIII assay - are described.
Related Concept Videos
Disorders of Hemostasis
Thromboembolic Disorders
Two factors primarily cause thromboembolic conditions.
Introduction to Hemostasis
The three phases of hemostasis involve many clotting factors present in plasma and several substances released by platelets and injured tissue cells. It is a fast, localized, and...
Extrinsic and Intrinsic Pathways of Hemostasis
The Extrinsic Pathway
The extrinsic pathway of coagulation is typically initiated by tissue damage that exposes blood to tissue factor (TF), a protein released by the damaged tissue cells outside the blood vessels—this interaction with TF triggers biochemical reactions involving specific clotting factors. The key player here is Factor VII, which forms a...
Anticoagulant Drugs: Low-Molecular-Weight Heparins
Venous Thrombosis IV: Nursing Management
Coagulation
During the coagulation phase, clotting factors, or procoagulants, play a vital role in initiating and progressing the coagulation cascade. This cascade is a series of reactions...

