BLEEDING DUE TO THROMBOCYTOPENIA OFTEN OCCURS IN SMALL VESSELS, CAUSING

• A. Infection
• B. Pruritus
• C. Scarring
• D. Petechiae and purpura ✓

Bleeding due to thrombocytopenia often occurs in small vessels, causing petechiae and purpura. Petechiae are small red or purple spots on the skin caused by minor bleeding from broken capillary blood vessels, while purpura refers to larger areas of bleeding under the skin that appear as purple patches. Thrombocytopenia is a condition characterized by a low platelet count in the blood, which can lead to impaired blood clotting and increased risk of bleeding.

Thrombocytopenia-induced bleeding in small vessels can manifest as petechiae and purpura due to the inability of the blood to clot effectively in response to vessel damage. The lack of an adequate number of platelets, which are essential for forming blood clots, results in bleeding into the skin and mucous membranes. This type of bleeding is typically seen in areas with high vascular density, such as the skin, leading to the characteristic appearance of petechiae and purpura.