Session 7

Question 1

On review of a complete blood count (CBC), your patient has a significant thrombocytopenia. What test would allow you to best confirm that it is a true thrombocytopenia and not an artifact of collection or storage?
a. Automated platelet count
b. Blood smear review
c. Coagulation profile
d. Manual platelet count

Answer 1

Blood smear review

Question 2

A lack of which growth factor would result in a decreased platelet count?
a. Erythropoietin
b. GM-CSF
c. IL-1
d. Thrombopoietin

Answer 2

Thrombopoietin

Question 3

Remember Wally, the Wonder Cat? He is our patient with fleas and anemia. He also has a thrombocytosis. Thinking about what you know about his case and thrombocytosis in general, what is the most likely reason for his increased platelet concentration?
a. He also likely has an endocrine disease such as diabetes mellitus.
b. He has developed disseminated intravascular coagulopathy secondary to his condition.
c. It is an analyzer artifact.
d. The thrombocytosis has developed secondary to iron deficiency anemia.

Answer 3

The thrombocytosis has developed secondary to iron deficiency anemia.

Question 3

You are reviewing a CBC from one of your patients. The lab reports marked thrombocytopenia, and the MPV is increased. Macroplatelets were observed on the lab’s blood smear review. Which mechanism of thrombocytopenia is least likely in this case?
a. Decreased production
b. Increased destruction
c. Increased utilization/consumption

Answer 3

Decreased production

Question 4

In which of the following patients would you most expect to observe petechiae on physical exam?
a. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel with congenital macrothrombocytopenia
b. English Springer Spaniel with an automated platelet count of 9,000/µL
c. Labrador Retriever with moderate splenomegaly due to anesthetic administration
d. Siamese cat with an automated platelet count of 95,000/µL

Answer 4

English Springer Spaniel with an automated platelet count of 9,000/µL

Question 4

What type of bleeding is a clinical sign of a primary hemostatic disorder?
a. Epistaxis
b. Hematoma
c. Hemarthrosis
d. Hemothorax

Answer 4

Epistaxis

Question 5

The patient from question 4 (marked thrombocytopenia with increased MPV and macroplatelets) also has a regenerative anemia (reticulocytosis). Considering all of this CBC information, what would you most expect to see in a bone marrow sample from this patient?
a. Erythroid hyperplasia and megakaryocytic hypoplasia
b. Erythroid hyperplasia and megakaryocytic hyperplasia
c. Erythroid hypoplasia and megakaryocytic hypoplasia
d. Erythroid hypoplasia and megakaryocytic hyperplasia

Answer 5

Erythroid hyperplasia and megakaryocytic hyperplasia

Question 5

The endpoint of primary hemostasis is formation of a platelet plug. What is required to form a platelet plug?
a. Sufficient quantity of von Willebrand factor
b. Adequate concentration of factor VII
c. Adequate number of red blood cells
d. Intact endothelial cell layer in vessel wall

Answer 5

Sufficient quantity of von Willebrand factor

Question 6

During platelet plug formation, platelets adhere to the injured endothelial surface via _____________, and to other platelets via ______________.
a. Fibrinogen, fibrinogen
b. Fibrinogen, von Willebrand factor
c. von Willebrand factor, thrombin
d. von Willebrand factor, fibrinogen

Answer 6

von Willebrand factor, fibrinogen

Question 6

Which of the following is not a common mechanism of thrombocytosis?
a. Dehydration
b. Excitement (epinephrine response)
c. Inflammation
d. Iron deficiency

Answer 6

Dehydration