The following are the essential requirements for efficient haemostasis, except?

Appeared in: HPSSC Staff Nurse - 2021

Explanation

Intrinsic factor is a glycoprotein produced by the stomach's parietal cells.
Its primary function is to facilitate the absorption of Vitamin B12 in the small intestine.
It has no direct or indirect role in the blood coagulation cascade (haemostasis).
A deficiency in intrinsic factor causes pernicious anaemia, not a bleeding disorder.

Option B: Clotting factors are proteins that are fundamental to the coagulation cascade, forming the fibrin clot that stops bleeding.
Option C: Calcium, also known as Factor IV, is an essential mineral cofactor required for multiple steps in the clotting cascade to proceed.
Option D: The term 'Vitamin' in this context refers to Vitamin K, which is crucial for the liver to synthesize functional clotting factors II, VII, IX, and X.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Essential components of the haemostasis process as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Understanding the components of haemostasis is critical for nurses to recognize and manage bleeding disorders.
Patients on anticoagulants like warfarin, which antagonizes Vitamin K, require close monitoring of their clotting status (e.g., PT/INR) to prevent excessive bleeding.
A patient presenting with signs of anaemia (fatigue, pallor) but no bleeding issues might have a condition like pernicious anaemia, pointing towards a nutritional or absorption issue (like lack of intrinsic factor) rather than a clotting problem.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core subject of the question, which is 'haemostasis' (blood clotting).
Note the negative keyword 'except'. This means you are looking for the option that does NOT belong or is NOT required for the process.
Evaluate each option's role in the body. Recall or deduce the function of Intrinsic factor, Clotting factors, Calcium, and Vitamin K.
Ask yourself for each option: 'Is this directly involved in stopping bleeding?'
Clotting factors are the main players. Calcium is a key helper (cofactor). Vitamin K is needed to make some factors. Intrinsic factor is for B12 absorption.
The one that doesn't fit the 'stopping bleeding' theme is the correct answer.

Concept Tested & Keywords

QyEPC314x0d-XKcYT69u0d

E6 Pathology- ROBBINS & COTRAN PATHOLOGIC BASIS OF DISEASE 10TH Ed p. 130-132

E6 Harper's Illustrated Biochemistry2023 (pp 26-793 of 813) p. 666-668

E6 Biochemistry U Satyanarayana— Part 1 (pp 26-420 of 840) p. 121-123

Practise the full HPSSC Staff Nurse - 2021

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