PEBC Cardiology Practice Test

The main idea tested is how thrombosis develops when three interrelated factors come together: a tendency of the blood to clot (hypercoagulability), slow or stagnant blood flow (venous stasis), and injury to the vessel lining (endothelial damage). Hypercoagulability means the blood is more prone to clot due to inherited factors like factor V Leiden or acquired states such as cancer or certain medications. Venous stasis reduces the washout of clotting factors and allows clot formation to proceed, as seen with prolonged immobilization, obesity, or heart failure. Endothelial damage exposes procoagulant surfaces and tissue factor, promoting platelet adhesion and activation of the coagulation cascade. In real life, thrombosis usually results from a combination of these factors rather than a single one. Therefore, the statement that includes all three components is the best description of Virchow's triad.