What condition is characterized by a reduced ability of blood to clot due to factor deficiencies?

What condition is characterized by a reduced ability of blood to clot due to factor deficiencies?

• A. Anemia
• B. Thrombocytopenia
• C. Hemophilia
• D. Leukemia

Answer: (C)

The condition characterized by a reduced ability of blood to clot due to factor deficiencies is hemophilia. Hemophilia is a genetic disorder that results in a deficiency of specific clotting factors, particularly factor VIII or factor IX. This leads to a tendency for excessive bleeding after injuries or surgeries, and spontaneous bleeding can occur, especially into joints and muscles. Individuals with hemophilia have a reduced capacity for blood coagulation because their bodies lack the proteins necessary for the clotting cascade to function effectively. This deficiency directly affects the hemostatic process, leading to prolonged bleeding times. Management often involves replacement therapy with the deficient clotting factors to allow for normal clotting processes. In contrast, anemia refers to a deficiency in the number or quality of red blood cells, which would impact oxygen transport rather than clotting. Thrombocytopenia involves a low platelet count, which may impair clotting but is not specifically due to factor deficiencies. Leukemia is a type of cancer affecting blood cells, which can lead to various hematologic abnormalities but is not primarily characterized by clotting factor deficiencies.

The condition characterized by a reduced ability of blood to clot due to factor deficiencies is hemophilia. Hemophilia is a genetic disorder that results in a deficiency of specific clotting factors, particularly factor VIII or factor IX. This leads to a tendency for excessive bleeding after injuries or surgeries, and spontaneous bleeding can occur, especially into joints and muscles.

Individuals with hemophilia have a reduced capacity for blood coagulation because their bodies lack the proteins necessary for the clotting cascade to function effectively. This deficiency directly affects the hemostatic process, leading to prolonged bleeding times. Management often involves replacement therapy with the deficient clotting factors to allow for normal clotting processes.

In contrast, anemia refers to a deficiency in the number or quality of red blood cells, which would impact oxygen transport rather than clotting. Thrombocytopenia involves a low platelet count, which may impair clotting but is not specifically due to factor deficiencies. Leukemia is a type of cancer affecting blood cells, which can lead to various hematologic abnormalities but is not primarily characterized by clotting factor deficiencies.