Patient Care Technician (PCT) AAH Practice Exam

What blood condition is characterized by the inability to clot?

1. Thrombocytopenia

2. Hemophilia

3. Anemia

4. Leukemia

The correct answer is: Hemophilia

Hemophilia is a genetic disorder that specifically affects the body's ability to form blood clots, which is essential for stopping bleeding. In individuals with hemophilia, there is a deficiency in one of the clotting factors, which are proteins in the blood that help control bleeding. This condition leads to prolonged bleeding after injury, spontaneous bleeding into joints and muscles, and excessive bleeding during surgeries or dental procedures. Patients with hemophilia require careful management to prevent bleeding episodes and may need treatments that involve clotting factor replacement. The other conditions mentioned do not primarily cause an inability to clot. Thrombocytopenia refers to a low platelet count, which can affect clotting but does not inherently mean the blood cannot clot at all. Anemia relates to a deficiency in red blood cells or hemoglobin, which is not directly related to the clotting process. Leukemia, a type of cancer that affects blood and bone marrow, can impact blood cell production and function but is not characterized by the inability to clot in the way hemophilia is. Thus, hemophilia stands out as the condition where clotting is particularly impaired.