Rheumatology & Haematology — Flashcards

Flashcard 271: What are the initial investigations for suspected disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)? _____

Answer: Coagulation studies (aPTT, PT, fibrinogen, D-dimer) & FBC (platelets)

Flashcard 272: _____ occurs due to pathologic activation of the coagulation cascade

Answer: Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)

Flashcard 273: If it is not practicable to vaccinate 2 weeks before splenectomy, immunisations should be delayed until at least _____ after

Answer: 2 weeks

Flashcard 274: How do you manage a splenectomy/hyposplenic patient developing pyrexia, malaise, or/and shivering? _____

Answer: Immediate reserve antibiotics

Flashcard 275: How do lymphocyte levels change post-splenectomy? _____

Answer: Increased (lymphocytosis)

Flashcard 276: How do platelet levels change post-splenectomy? _____

Answer: Increased (thrombocytosis)

Flashcard 277: Splenectomy / hyposplenic patients are at risk of _____, which is a bacterial infection that rapidly progresses into overwhelming sepsis

Answer: overwhelming post-splenectomy infection (OPSI)

Flashcard 278: _____ is a decrease ↓ in the number of cells in all three major blood cell lines in the peripheral blood leading to ↓ RBC, WBC, & thrombocytes

Answer: Pancytopenia

Flashcard 279: What is the most common cause of pancytopenia? _____

Answer: Megaloblastic anemia

Extra: In India and many developing countries, Megaloblastic anemia (Vitamin B12/Folate deficiency) is the most common cause of pancytopenia. Aplastic anemia is another significant cause.

Flashcard 280: What are the causes of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)? 1. _____ 2. Trauma (inc. burns) 3. Obstetric conditions (e.g. amniotic fluid embolism) 4. Malignancy (e.g. APL)

Answer: Sepsis (gram -ve bacteria)