A trauma patient who has just received ten units of blood may develop which condition?

In the context of a trauma patient who has received a significant amount of blood, such as ten units, the development of thrombocytopenia is particularly relevant. This condition, characterized by a lower than normal number of platelets in the blood, can occur due to various factors related to blood transfusions.

When a patient receives multiple units of blood, there is a risk of dilution of the patient's own blood components, including platelets. The stored blood products often contain lower amounts of platelets compared to whole blood. Moreover, repeated transfusions can lead to platelet antibodies and decreased platelet survival due to exposure to different donor antigens, especially if multiple transfusions are necessary.

Additionally, post-transfusion purpura, a serious and rare complication, can also contribute to thrombocytopenia in patients who develop antibodies against the transfused platelets.

In summary, thrombocytopenia is a plausible condition for a trauma patient who has received several units of blood, primarily due to dilutional effects and immunologic responses to multiple transfusions. This highlights the importance of monitoring platelet counts in patients who receive large volumes of blood, as appropriate management may be required to address this condition.