Real‑World Examples / Scenarios
Scenario 1
A 45‑year‑old office worker notices recurring small purple bruises on her forearms over several weeks. She denies injury but mentions starting a new herbal supplement containing ginkgo biloba and fish oil. Lab tests are normal. Discontinuing the supplements leads to resolution of bruising.
Scenario 2
An elderly man living alone presents with large, non‑tender bruises on his arms. He takes warfarin for atrial fibrillation and is on a high dose. His INR is elevated. Warfarin dose adjustment brings his INR into therapeutic range, and bruising diminishes.
Scenario 3
A 7‑year‑old child exhibits unexplained bruises on legs and trunk with fatigue and low‑grade fever. CBC shows thrombocytopenia and blasts on the smear. Bone marrow biopsy confirms acute leukemia. Prompt treatment is initiated.
Scenario 4
A middle‑aged woman with easy bruising, gum bleeding, and corkscrew hair is found to have low vitamin C levels. Diagnosis: scurvy. Dietary counseling and vitamin supplementation lead to improvement.
Scenario 5
A teenage athlete with frequent nosebleeds and easy bruising is found to have von Willebrand disease after lab testing. Desmopressin (DDAVP) is prescribed to reduce bleeding episodes, and management plans are adjusted accordingly.
