Ipt Case Study for Anatomy

A Case of IPT

Directions: Go to this website: http://www.sciencecases.org/itp/itp.asp

Read the case study, and answer the following questions.

1. How and where are platelets produced in the body?

They’re made in the red bone barrow and are formed from the disintegration of specific large cells

2. Describe the role played by platelets in hemostasis.

They constrict blood vessels, control platelet activity, and control how the blood clots.

3. Define thrombocytopenia and list the more common causes of this condition.

Thrombocytopenia is a shortage of platelets that can be caused by several diseases such as leukemia, some types of anemia, HIV, and other similar blood diseases

4. What are the potential consequences of a low platelet count?

Bleeding wouldn’t stop efficiently, (in a woman) menstrual cycles could be abnormally heavy, urine and stool contain blood, small injuries cause bruises to spread, etc.

5. What drugs have been associated with the development of thrombocytopenia?

Heparin, quinidine, gold salts, guanine, rifampin

6. How is thrombocytopenia treated in individuals diagnosed with the condition?

Usually, adults with the disease need to get their spleen removed. However, if a drug caused the thrombocytopenia, the discontinuation of the drug is more rational. Also, plasma transfusions can be commonly associated wit this disease.

7. How might removal of the spleen (splenectomy) result in an increase in the number of circulating platelets?

Since the spleen removes antibodies in the blood, there would be no production of humoral antibodies targeting autoantibody, increasing platelets.

8. What is Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP)?

A bleeding disorder from antibody development that comes from thrombocytopenia, yet isn’t associated with a general disease

Source: National Center...