Houston Methodist Pharmacology Practice Exam

When a patient experiences neutropenia while on Ticlid, it is critical to monitor the patient's condition closely and consider discontinuation of the medication. Neutropenia, which is a decrease in the number of neutrophils (a type of white blood cell important for fighting infections), can lead to increased risk of infections and other complications.

The appropriate action is to assess the severity of the neutropenia and evaluate the patient's overall clinical status. If the neutropenia is significant or symptomatic, discontinuation of Ticlid is usually warranted. This ensures that the patient's safety is prioritized and minimizes the risk of serious health complications associated with low neutrophil counts.

In some cases, close monitoring may be sufficient if the decrease in neutrophils is mild and the patient remains stable. However, initiating any changes in medication, such as increasing dosage or switching to another anticoagulant, would be inappropriate without first addressing the neutropenia directly, as these actions could exacerbate the patient's condition.

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