Two of the most important risk factors in the development of stress gastritis are coagulopathy and respiratory failure. Which choice would indicate coagulopathy?

Two of the most important risk factors in the development of stress gastritis are coagulopathy and respiratory failure. Which choice would indicate coagulopathy?

• A. Platelets < 50,000/µL
• B. INR > 1.5
• C. Hematocrit < 35%
• D. Respiratory failure requiring ventilation > 48 hours

Answer: (B)

Coagulopathy means the blood’s ability to form clots is impaired. The INR measures how long it takes blood to clot via the extrinsic pathway and is standardized across labs; an INR above about 1.5 indicates clinically significant coagulopathy. In stress gastritis, this impaired coagulation increases the risk of significant GI bleeding from erosions because the hemostatic response is slower. Platelet count below 50,000 can raise bleeding risk by reducing platelet-driven clot formation, but it doesn’t specifically reflect the coagulation cascade’s function the way an elevated INR does. Hematocrit under 35% points to anemia or volume loss, not the clotting system itself. Respiratory failure requiring ventilation is a separate risk factor tied to the patient’s overall critical illness rather than to coagulopathy.

Coagulopathy means the blood’s ability to form clots is impaired. The INR measures how long it takes blood to clot via the extrinsic pathway and is standardized across labs; an INR above about 1.5 indicates clinically significant coagulopathy. In stress gastritis, this impaired coagulation increases the risk of significant GI bleeding from erosions because the hemostatic response is slower.

Platelet count below 50,000 can raise bleeding risk by reducing platelet-driven clot formation, but it doesn’t specifically reflect the coagulation cascade’s function the way an elevated INR does. Hematocrit under 35% points to anemia or volume loss, not the clotting system itself. Respiratory failure requiring ventilation is a separate risk factor tied to the patient’s overall critical illness rather than to coagulopathy.