TRANSFUSION MEDICINE - the UCLA Department of Pathology ...

transfusion medicineTM 11-4© ASCP 20114. A 42-year-old woman presents with thrombocytopenia (platelet count24,000/µL) 1 week after starting quinine for nocturnal muscle cramps.Drug-induced immune thrombocytopenia (DIIT) is suspected. Which of thefollowing is true?A) Detection of drug-induced antibodies (by flow cytometry) is oftendiagnostic.B) DIIT is unlikely because platelet counts are rarely less than 50,000/µL.C) DIIT is unlikely because the interval between drug administration andthrombocytopenia is too short.D) The diagnosis of DIIT due to quinine is clinical because it cannot bedistinguished from idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura by laboratorytests.5. A 25-year-old woman presents with purpura and epistaxis 8 days after startingtrimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole for cystitis. A complete blood cell countdemonstrates a platelet count of 45,000/µL. After the diagnosis of DIIT isconfirmed, you advise the patient thatA) Upon cessation of the drug, at least 3 weeks are required for the plateletcount to return to normal.B) Platelet transfusions will reduce her mortality.C) Plasma exchange hastens recovery.D) Corticosteroids have no proven benefit.Note: To receive CME credit, please submit your answers online. To view answer sheetinstructions and updates, please visit http://www.ascp.org/checksampleinstructions. Welook forward to bringing you better results with online answer submission and certificatesthat can be printed immediately upon course completion!52