What is a likely reason for Marvin's bleeding problems due to cirrhosis?

Prepare for the Dunphy Primary Care Test with flashcards and multiple-choice questions. Each question offers hints and detailed explanations to enhance your understanding. Get ready for your primary care exam!

Marvin's bleeding problems related to cirrhosis are primarily attributed to an interruption of the normal clotting mechanism. Cirrhosis, which is often caused by chronic liver disease such as alcohol abuse or viral hepatitis, leads to significant alterations in liver function. The liver is crucial for synthesizing several key proteins involved in the coagulation cascade, including prothrombin and various clotting factors. When the liver is damaged, these proteins are produced in insufficient quantities, impairing the body's ability to form clots properly and leading to an increased risk of bleeding.

In addition, patients with cirrhosis often have a decrease in platelets due to hypersplenism and may also develop other coagulopathies related to vitamin K deficiency, which further hinders the clotting process. This multifaceted impact on hemostasis is the primary reason for Marvin's bleeding complications.

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