Petechiae are frequently observed in?

Appeared in: PGIMS Rohtak NO - 2017

Explanation

Petechiae are pinpoint hemorrhages resulting from minor capillary bleeding into the skin, as seen in the provided image.
These are a hallmark sign of bleeding disorders, which impair the body's ability to control bleeding.
Conditions causing low or dysfunctional platelets (thrombocytopenia), or fragile blood vessels, directly lead to the formation of petechiae.
Bleeding disorder is the umbrella term for these conditions, making it the most accurate answer.

Option A: Gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. It does not directly affect blood platelets or clotting factors.
Option B: Prostatic hypertrophy is an age-related enlargement of the prostate gland that affects urination. It has no association with systemic bleeding or platelet function.
Option C: Otitis media is a localized infection of the middle ear. It does not cause systemic hematological changes like petechiae.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Clinical Manifestations of Bleeding Disorders as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Recognizing petechiae is a critical nursing skill as it can be the first sign of a serious underlying condition like leukemia, sepsis, or a severe drug reaction.
Nurses must implement bleeding precautions for any patient with a low platelet count or new onset of petechiae to prevent serious hemorrhage.
What if? If a patient on heparin suddenly develops petechiae and a drop in platelet count, the nurse must suspect Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia (HIT), a life-threatening thrombotic condition. The immediate action is to stop the heparin infusion and notify the healthcare provider urgently.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key clinical sign presented in the question: 'petechiae'. The image reinforces this finding.
Recall the definition and underlying cause of petechiae, which is minor capillary bleeding.
Analyze the given options to determine which condition is most directly related to abnormal bleeding.
Gastroenteritis, prostatic hypertrophy, and otitis media are localized inflammatory or structural problems and do not primarily affect hemostasis.
'Bleeding disorder' is a broad category that directly encompasses the pathological processes (like low platelets or vessel fragility) that cause petechiae.
Therefore, select 'Bleeding disorder' as the most frequent and direct cause.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Clinical Manifestations of Bleeding Disorders
Stem keywords: Petechiae, frequently observed
Lead-in keywords: BEST, MOST RELEVANT CLUE
Clinical cues: The image shows classic petechiae, which is the primary clue to the underlying pathology.

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E6 Pathology- ROBBINS & COTRAN PATHOLOGIC BASIS OF DISEASE 10TH Ed pp. 665-667, 666-668

E6 Medicine Harrison 22e Part 1 p. 449-451

Practise the full PGIMS Rohtak NO - 2017

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.