Which sign would most strongly indicate thrombocytopenia in a child with leukemia?

Which sign would most strongly indicate thrombocytopenia in a child with leukemia?

• A. Fever
• B. Petechiae
• C. Epistaxis
• D. Anorexia

Answer: (B)

Thrombocytopenia means the body has too few platelets to stop small blood leaks. Petechiae are tiny, nonblanching spots that appear when capillaries bleed under the skin, caused by low platelet counts. They’re a classic sign of significant platelet deficiency, especially in a child with leukemia where marrow suppression reduces platelets. Fever points to infection, which is common but not specific to low platelets. Epistaxis and anorexia can occur for various reasons and aren’t as directly tied to platelet levels. So petechiae most strongly indicate thrombocytopenia.

Thrombocytopenia means the body has too few platelets to stop small blood leaks. Petechiae are tiny, nonblanching spots that appear when capillaries bleed under the skin, caused by low platelet counts. They’re a classic sign of significant platelet deficiency, especially in a child with leukemia where marrow suppression reduces platelets. Fever points to infection, which is common but not specific to low platelets. Epistaxis and anorexia can occur for various reasons and aren’t as directly tied to platelet levels. So petechiae most strongly indicate thrombocytopenia.