Question

What platelet count should be achieved before a bleeding test can be administered? a) 100,000 platelets/µL b) 50,000 platelets/µL c) 30,000 platelets/µL d) 10,000 platelets/µL

Answer 1

The minimum platelet count that should be achieved before administering a bleeding test is 100,000 platelets/µL. Platelets are vital for blood clotting and are formed from larger cells - megakaryocytes.

Step-by-step explanation:

The direct answer in two lines to your question is option (a) 100,000 platelets/µL. This is the minimum platelet count that should be achieved before a bleeding test can be administered.

Platelets, also known as thrombocytes, are small, disc-shaped cell fragments that are critical for blood clotting. They are formed from large cells termed megakaryocytes, which break up into thousands of platelet fragments. The average human has typically between 150,000 to 160,000 platelets per µL of blood. Whenever there's a rupture in a blood vessel, platelets migrate to the site and become activated to limit blood loss. They interact with other clotting factors to form a fibrin clot at the wound site, effectively preventing further blood loss and allowing the wound to heal.

Before administering a bleeding test, it's imperative that the patient has a sufficient platelet count—usually no less than 100,000 platelets/µL. The reason being, a lower platelet count could result in excessive bleeding, as there wouldn't be enough platelets to form a clot and stop the bleeding.

Learn more about Platelet Count