Study liver anatomy and function with our medical students test. Engage with detailed multiple choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Prepare effectively for your test!

Multiple Choice

Which medication can increase PT and PTT?

The test is about how anticoagulants affect clotting tests differently. Heparin works by boosting antithrombin III, which blocks thrombin and factor Xa. In lab testing, this hits the intrinsic pathway most, so the activated partial thromboplastin time (PTT) is markedly prolonged. The prothrombin time (PT) reflects the extrinsic pathway and is less sensitive to heparin, though PT can be affected only with higher doses or other factors involved. Among the options, this agent reliably prolongs PTT, making it the best choice. Warfarin primarily prolongs PT/INR by depleting vitamin K–dependent factors, while aspirin and acetaminophen do not significantly prolong PT or PTT at typical doses.

The test is about how anticoagulants affect clotting tests differently. Heparin works by boosting antithrombin III, which blocks thrombin and factor Xa. In lab testing, this hits the intrinsic pathway most, so the activated partial thromboplastin time (PTT) is markedly prolonged. The prothrombin time (PT) reflects the extrinsic pathway and is less sensitive to heparin, though PT can be affected only with higher doses or other factors involved. Among the options, this agent reliably prolongs PTT, making it the best choice. Warfarin primarily prolongs PT/INR by depleting vitamin K–dependent factors, while aspirin and acetaminophen do not significantly prolong PT or PTT at typical doses.