Author Question: A patient has a quantitative D dimer of 800 ng/mL. Which can be ruled out from the following list? ... (Read 40 times)

sabina · **on:** Jun 25, 2018

A patient has a quantitative D dimer of 800 ng/mL. Which can be ruled out from the following list?

a. DIC
b. Deep vein thrombosis
c. Pulmonary embolus
d. Patient is normal

Question 2

What is the best test to perform if a patient's PTT does not rise after the typical heparin dose?

a. Immunoassay for anticardiolipin antibody
b. Lipoprotein(a) assay
c. Chromogenic antithrombin
d. Mixing studies

ilianabrrr · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 25, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: D
A D dimer of 800 ng/mL is significantly elevated so that the patient is not normal. D dimers are elevated in DIC, pulmonary embolus, and deep vein thrombosis.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: C
When a patient has a deficiency of antithrombin, heparin may be administered in therapeutic or even higher dosages, but it will not exert an anticoagulant effect in vivo, nor will it be detected by the PTT. This is called heparin resistance.