Which of the following individuals is at highest risk for blood clotting dysfunction?
a. A 54-year-old whose K+ = 3.8 mEq/L
b. A 41-year-old whose Na+ = 140 mmol/L
c. A 39-year-old whose Ca+ = 3.5 mg/dL
d. A 47-year-old whose Cl– = 105 mEq/L
ANS: C
Platelet factors are necessary for the first of the three stages of chemical clotting. In stage 1, platelet factors, clotting factors from the liver, tissue factor (thromboplastin), and calcium ions react to form prothrombinase (also called prothrombin activator); the calcium value listed is below normal. Potassium, sodium, and chloride are not part of the clotting process and the values listed are all within normal limits (WNL).
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