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Oral Surgery · single question

A patient with THROMBOCYTOPENIA needs dental treatment. What initial blood test is essential?

  1. Complete blood count (CBC) with platelet count
  2. Bleeding time only
  3. Prothrombin time (PT/INR)
  4. Partial thromboplastin time (PTT)
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: A. Complete blood count (CBC) with platelet count

  • A. Correct. THROMBOCYTOPENIA is a deficiency of PLATELETS. The most direct assessment is the PLATELET COUNT from a COMPLETE BLOOD COUNT (CBC). Normal platelet count: 150,000-400,000/mm³. Dental procedures are generally safe with platelets >80,000/mm³. Below 50,000/mm³ = significant bleeding risk; below 20,000/mm³ = spontaneous bleeding risk.
  • B. Bleeding time tests platelet function but is not the primary diagnostic test for thrombocytopenia (platelet count from CBC is more specific).
  • C. PT/INR tests the extrinsic pathway of coagulation (Factor VII, warfarin monitoring) — not platelet count.
  • D. PTT tests the intrinsic pathway (hemophilia A, B) — not platelet count.

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