What features are identified on the peripheral blood smear in TTP?
A) Increase in presence of reticulocytes, nucleated erythrocytes, abundance of schistocytes
B) Leukocytosis with left shift, and schistocytes present reticulocytopenia
C) Abundance of schistocytes, thrombocytosis, and leukopenia
D) Nucleated erythrocytes, Howell-Jolly bodies, and absence of schistocytes

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

TTP is characterized by the presence of schistocytes on peripheral blood smear, which are fragmented red blood cells due to mechanical shearing by fibrin strands. This leads to a decrease in the number of circulating platelets, resulting in thrombocytopenia. In response to this, the bone marrow produces an increased number of reticulocytes (immature red blood cells) and nucleated erythrocytes (red blood cells with a nucleus). Therefore, an increase in presence of reticulocytes, nucleated erythrocytes, and abundance of schistocytes would be seen on peripheral blood smear in TTP.

What Features Are Identified on the Peripheral Blood Smear in TTP