Final answer:
A decreased platelet count is referred to as thrombocytopenia, a condition that can result in excessive bleeding due to the inability of blood to form clots properly.
Step-by-step explanation:
A decreased platelet count is called thrombocytopenia. This condition typically results in the inability of blood to clot properly, which can lead to excessive bleeding from even minor wounds. Platelets, also known as thrombocytes, are crucial in the blood clotting process.
When their count is low, the risk of uncontrolled bleeding increases. Other related terms include thrombocytosis, which refers to an excessive number of platelets leading to abnormal clotting, and thrombopoietin, which is a hormone that stimulates the development of megakaryocytes into platelets.