VPY-0054
QUESTION
In Vitamin K deficiency?
OPTIONS
(A) The liver stops its production of prothrombin
(B) Warfarin administration would have no effect
(C) The liver stops production of fibrinogen
(D) The liver continues its production of non- functional prothrombin
ANSWER
(D) The liver continues its production of non- functional prothrombin
EXPLANATION
The liver continues its production of non-functional prothrombin is the correct option because vitamin K deficiency prevents normal gamma-carboxylation of prothrombin and other vitamin-K-dependent clotting factors, so the liver can synthesize the proteins but they have impaired biological function. The liver does not simply stop prothrombin production, fibrinogen synthesis is not vitamin-K dependent, and warfarin acts through inhibition of vitamin K recycling so it can still affect the pathway.