A 45-year-old man noticed multiple pinpoint red spots and bruises on his arms and legs. The hematologist confirmed the presence of petechiae, purpura, and ecchymoses on his extremities and ordered a complete blood count, prothrombin time, and partial thromboplastin time. The platelet count was 40 x 109/L, the mean platelet volume was 12.2 fL, and the diameter of platelets on the Wright-stained peripheral blood film appeared to exceed 6 mm. Other complete blood count parameters and the coagulation parameters were within normal limits. A Wright-stained bone marrow aspirate smear revealed 10 to 12 small unlobulated megakaryocytes per low-power microscopic field. Is the thrombocytopenia the result of inadequate bone marrow production? Explain why. Do these signs and symptoms indicate systemic (mucocutaneous) or anatomical (soft tissue) bleeding? Why?

Phlebotomy Essentials
6th Edition
ISBN:9781451194524
Author:Ruth McCall, Cathee M. Tankersley MT(ASCP)
Publisher:Ruth McCall, Cathee M. Tankersley MT(ASCP)
Chapter1: Phlebotomy: Past And Present And The Healthcare Setting
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          A 45-year-old man noticed multiple pinpoint red spots and bruises on his arms and legs. The hematologist confirmed the presence of petechiae, purpura, and ecchymoses on his extremities and ordered a complete blood count, prothrombin time, and partial thromboplastin time. The platelet count was 40 x 109/L, the mean platelet volume was 12.2 fL, and the diameter of platelets on the Wright-stained peripheral blood film appeared to exceed 6 mm. Other complete blood count parameters and the coagulation parameters were within normal limits. A Wright-stained bone marrow aspirate smear revealed 10 to 12 small unlobulated megakaryocytes per low-power microscopic field.

  1. Is the thrombocytopenia the result of inadequate bone marrow production? Explain why.
  2. Do these signs and symptoms indicate systemic (mucocutaneous) or anatomical (soft tissue) bleeding? Why?
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