Immune thrombocytopenia purpura (ITP) is an immune disease marked by a decrease in the number of platelets due to:

Question

1. Destruction by antibodies produced against a client's own platelets.
2. An overproduction of reticulocytes.
3. An overproduction of neutrophils.
4. A reaction to heparin therapy.

Answer 1

Destruction by antibodies produced against an individual's own platelets.

Rationale: Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is an autoimmune disease marked by a decrease in the number of platelets due to destruction by antibodies produced against a client's own platelets. It is categorized as secondary and primary. Secondary ITP refers to the appropriate development of antibodies against invading pathogens or drugs, which then inappropriately cross-react against platelets, causing their destruction. In primary ITP, antibodies against platelets also surface, but occur in the absence of viral, bacterial, or drug exposure. An overproduction of immature red blood cells, reticulocytes. does not affect the number of platelets. An overproduction of white blood cells, such as neutrophils, does not diminish the number of platelets. A reaction to heparin therapy is referred to as heparin-induced thrombocytopenia and results from being treated with unfractionated heparin and frequent exposure to diluted heparin flushes for IV therapy management.