09-05-2007, 06:54 PM
A 42-year-old African-American man sustains severe injuries in an automobile accident and is admitted to the
intensive care unit. Examination of a peripheral blood smear on the 3rd day of admission reveals helmet cells,
schistocytes, and decreased platelets. Which of the following is most strongly suggested by these findings?
A. Autoimmune hemolysis
B. Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)
C. Hereditary spherocytosis
D. Megaloblastic anemia
E. Sickle cell anemia
intensive care unit. Examination of a peripheral blood smear on the 3rd day of admission reveals helmet cells,
schistocytes, and decreased platelets. Which of the following is most strongly suggested by these findings?
A. Autoimmune hemolysis
B. Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)
C. Hereditary spherocytosis
D. Megaloblastic anemia
E. Sickle cell anemia