Reference no: EM133838136

Assignment:

I. A 21-year-old black prison inmate was admitted to the hospital for the repair of an abdominal hernia. His physician was concerned that strangulation of the hernia could occur. The patient was in extremely good physical condition. He did not remember having any unusual illnesses. His family history did include minor bleeding problems among some of his relatives.

Laboratory Data

On admission, the hemoglobin and hematocrit were 15.0 g/L and 44%, respectively. The PT was 13 seconds (normal, 10 to 15 seconds), and the aPTT was 55 seconds (normal, 28 to 35 seconds).

Because of the results obtained on the original and a repeat specimen of the aPTT in conjunction with a vague family history of bleeding, this patient's surgery was postponed until a bleeding disorder could be ruled out.

Questions

1. What coagulation deficiencies might be present in this patient?

2. What supplementary laboratory assays would be appropriate?

3. How could this be distinguished from other similar disorders?