Thrombocytopenia
Thrombocytopenia ( 15 Questions)
What does the presence of schistocytes indicate, and how should the nurse interpret this finding?
Schistocytes suggest normal platelet function. Rationale: This statement is incorrect. Schistocytes are not related to platelet function. Schistocytes are fragmented red blood cells, and their presence on a peripheral blood smear suggests mechanical damage to red blood cells, not platelets.
Schistocytes are associated with thrombocytosis. Rationale: This statement is incorrect. Schistocytes are not associated with thrombocytosis, which is an elevated platelet count. They are more commonly associated with conditions involving red blood cell fragmentation, such as hemolysis or microangiopathy.
Schistocytes indicate hemolysis or microangiopathy. Rationale: This statement is correct. Schistocytes are fragmented red blood cells, and their presence on a peripheral blood smear is indicative of hemolysis (destruction of red blood cells) or microangiopathy (damage to small blood vessels) This finding suggests that the patient may have an underlying condition leading to red blood cell destruction, which can be associated with thrombocytopenia.
Schistocytes confirm the absence of bleeding risk. Rationale: This statement is incorrect. Schistocytes do not confirm the absence of bleeding risk. While they are associated with conditions involving red blood cell damage, they do not provide information about the patient's platelet count, which is a more direct factor in bleeding risk.
Choice A rationale:
Schistocytes suggest normal platelet function.
Rationale: This statement is incorrect.
Schistocytes are not related to platelet function.
Schistocytes are fragmented red blood cells, and their presence on a peripheral blood smear suggests mechanical damage to red blood cells, not platelets.
Choice B rationale:
Schistocytes are associated with thrombocytosis.
Rationale: This statement is incorrect.
Schistocytes are not associated with thrombocytosis, which is an elevated platelet count.
They are more commonly associated with conditions involving red blood cell fragmentation, such as hemolysis or microangiopathy.
Choice C rationale:
Schistocytes indicate hemolysis or microangiopathy.
Rationale: This statement is correct.
Schistocytes are fragmented red blood cells, and their presence on a peripheral blood smear is indicative of hemolysis (destruction of red blood cells) or microangiopathy (damage to small blood vessels)
This finding suggests that the patient may have an underlying condition leading to red blood cell destruction, which can be associated with thrombocytopenia.
Choice D rationale:
Schistocytes confirm the absence of bleeding risk.
Rationale: This statement is incorrect.
Schistocytes do not confirm the absence of bleeding risk.
While they are associated with conditions involving red blood cell damage, they do not provide information about the patient's platelet count, which is a more direct factor in bleeding risk.