Medical Emergencies · single question
A CBC (Complete Blood Count) provides which of the following information for a patient with a BLEEDING DISORDER?
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Correct answer: C. Detect Thrombocytopenia (low platelet count)
Thrombocytopenia (C). A CBC measures blood cell counts including: RBCs, WBCs, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and PLATELET COUNT. In a patient with a bleeding disorder, the CBC will reveal if thrombocytopenia (low platelets, <150,000/μL) is contributing to the bleeding problem.
• How long it takes blood to clot (A): this is the bleeding time (Ivy method) or platelet function analyzer (PFA-100) — NOT a CBC measurement.
• Autoimmune screening (B): ANA, anti-dsDNA tests — NOT part of a standard CBC.
• PTT (D): measures the intrinsic coagulation pathway — a separate coagulation test, NOT part of CBC.
• Complete bleeding disorder workup: CBC (platelets) + PT/INR + aPTT + bleeding time + specific factor assays as indicated.
• How long it takes blood to clot (A): this is the bleeding time (Ivy method) or platelet function analyzer (PFA-100) — NOT a CBC measurement.
• Autoimmune screening (B): ANA, anti-dsDNA tests — NOT part of a standard CBC.
• PTT (D): measures the intrinsic coagulation pathway — a separate coagulation test, NOT part of CBC.
• Complete bleeding disorder workup: CBC (platelets) + PT/INR + aPTT + bleeding time + specific factor assays as indicated.
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