Final answer:
The correct statement about Lupus Anticoagulant (LA) is that it promotes blood clotting. It is an autoimmune antibody that increases the risk of blood clots and is not limited to lupus patients nor specifically targeting red blood cells.
Step-by-step explanation:
When considering what is true about Lupus Anticoagulant (LA), the correct answer is A) It promotes blood clotting. Lupus Anticoagulant is an autoimmune antibody (a type of protein produced by the immune system) that targets phospholipids, which are essential components of the cell membrane. Despite its name, Lupus Anticoagulant is linked with an increased risk of blood clots rather than bleeding disorders. It is not specific to lupus patients, as it can be found in individuals without lupus, and it does not affect just red blood cells but rather the coagulation process.
Remember that blood diseases can affect different cell types, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Examples include sickle-cell anemia and hemophilia, a bleeding disorder resulting from inadequate production of clotting factors.
Lupus Anticoagulant (LA) and Hemostasis
Hemostasis is the process of stopping bleeding, involving steps like vasospasm, platelet plug formation, and coagulation. Coagulation involves clotting factors that help form a fibrin clot. Anticoagulants oppose coagulation and control the extent and duration of clotting. Lupus Anticoagulant, conversely, promotes clotting by interfering with the body's normal anticoagulation pathways.