A patient with a history of easy bruising and bleeding is found to have a deficiency of factor XIII. What is the most likely clinical manifestation of this deficiency?

A Prolonged bleeding after surgery
B Spontaneous bleeding into joints
C Poor wound healing and frequent bruising ✓
D Thrombocytopenia and petechiae

Explanation

Factor XIII plays a crucial role in stabilizing blood clots, and its deficiency can lead to poor wound healing and frequent bruising due to the inability to form stable clots.

Source

Williams Hematology
Hematology Hematology: Coagulation Disorders Hematology: Coagulation Disorders Hard MEDICAL Confidence: medium