COMSAE Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Self-Assessment Exam

Access More Questions

A patient is hospitalized and receives unfractionated heparin for a deep vein thrombosis. Five days later, their platelet count drops from 250,000/µL to 90,000/µL, and a new pulmonary embolism is suspected. What is the most likely underlying pathophysiology of this condition?

Direct heparin-induced platelet aggregation Autoantibody formation against the heparin-platelet factor 4 (PF4) complex Vitamin K antagonism leading to decreased platelet production Bone marrow suppression from a direct toxic effect of heparin

Correct Answer:

Autoantibody formation against the heparin-platelet factor 4 (PF4) complex

Access more questions from this quiz

Continue to COMSAE Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Self-Assessment Exam for more practice questions and the full quiz experience.

Access More Questions