A 39-year-old woman comes to the physician because of a 3-day history of headaches, and fatigue. She has a hsitory of hypertension for which she takes lisinopril. The patient does not appear to be in acute distress. Evaluation reveals severe thrombocytopenia. Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura is suspected. Which of the following findings is required to make the diagnosis?

Question

A 39-year-old woman comes to the physician because of a 3-day history of headaches, and fatigue. She has a hsitory of hypertension for which she takes lisinopril. The patient does not appear to be in acute distress.  Evaluation reveals severe thrombocytopenia.  Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura is suspected.  Which of the following findings is required to make the diagnosis?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Eductional Objective: Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura is a thrombotic microangiopathy resulting in microangiopathic hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia, renal failure and neurologic changes. findings that are essential for making the diagnosis. Untreated TTP is almost always fatal. Prompt initiation of plasma exchange therapy and glucocorticoids is necessary as the disease is mediated by an autoantibody against ADAMTS13.

A 39-Year-Old Woman Comes to the Physician Because of a 3-Day