AIIMS Nagpur NO - 2018: Which mineral is required for clotting of blood?

AIIMS Nagpur NO - 2018

Applied Physiology

Easy

Appeared in: AIIMS Nagpur NO - 2018

Explanation

Calcium is an essential mineral for hemostasis (the process to stop bleeding).
It is designated as Factor IV in the coagulation cascade.
Calcium ions are required for the activation of several clotting factors, which are proteins that work together to form a blood clot.
A key step dependent on calcium is the conversion of prothrombin (Factor II) into its active form, thrombin (Factor IIa).
Thrombin then converts fibrinogen into fibrin, which forms the meshwork of the clot.

Option B: Magnesium is a vital mineral for over 300 enzymatic reactions, muscle and nerve function, and maintaining a steady heartbeat, but it is not a primary factor in the blood clotting cascade.
Option C: Potassium is the primary intracellular cation and is critical for nerve impulse transmission, muscle contraction, and maintaining normal heart rhythm. It does not play a direct role in blood coagulation.
Option D: Sodium is the main extracellular cation, essential for maintaining fluid balance, blood pressure, and nerve function. It is not involved in the enzymatic reactions of the clotting cascade.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Role of minerals in blood coagulation helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Nurses must monitor serum calcium levels in patients with bleeding disorders, liver disease, or vitamin K deficiency, as these can affect clotting.
Hypocalcemia (low calcium) can impair blood clotting and lead to increased bleeding risk. Signs include muscle cramps, tingling, and in severe cases, tetany and cardiac arrhythmias.
What if? A patient receives a massive blood transfusion. The citrate anticoagulant in stored blood bags can bind to the patient's free calcium, leading to iatrogenic hypocalcemia. The nurse must monitor for signs of hypocalcemia and be prepared to administer calcium gluconate or calcium chloride as ordered to prevent bleeding and cardiac complications.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core concept of the question, which is 'blood clotting'.
Next, recall the physiological process of blood coagulation. Remember that it's a complex cascade involving multiple 'clotting factors'.
Consider the options provided, which are all minerals (electrolytes). Evaluate the primary role of each mineral in the body.
Systematically eliminate the options whose primary functions are unrelated to the enzymatic cascade of clotting (e.g., Sodium and Potassium are mainly for fluid balance and nerve impulses).
Recall that Calcium has a specific designation as 'Factor IV' in the coagulation cascade, confirming its direct and essential role.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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