Question

Pregnancy is a hypercoagulable state in which women are at a fivefold to sixfold increased risk for thromboembolic disease. The tendency for blood to clot is greater, attributable to an increase in various clotting factors. Which of these come into play during pregnancy? (Select all that apply.)

a. Factor VII
b. Factor VIII
c. Factor IX
d. Factor XIII
e. Fibrinogen

Answer 1

During pregnancy, there is an increased risk of thromboembolism due to higher levels of clotting factors such as Factor VII, Factor VIII, Factor IX, Factor XIII, and fibrinogen, which contribute to a hypercoagulable state.

Step-by-step explanation:

Pregnancy is associated with a hypercoagulable state, which involves an increased risk of thromboembolism due to the elevated levels of various clotting factors. Specifically, during pregnancy, there are increased levels of Factor VII, Factor VIII, Factor IX, Factor XIII, and fibrinogen.

These factors contribute to the increased coagulation helping to prevent hemorrhage during delivery but also raise the risk of thrombosis. This physiological change, along with the increase in blood volume and pressure, helps manage the demands of the growing fetus but also necessitates careful monitoring to manage the risk of thromboembolic diseases such as deep vein thrombosis.

Conditions like thrombocytosis and thrombophilia can raise this risk further. Thus, understanding these changes is critical for the health care of pregnant individuals, as well as recognizing signs that may indicate complications requiring medical intervention.