Which factor most increases risk for postpartum thromboembolism?

Which factor most increases risk for postpartum thromboembolism?

• A. A 39-year-old smoker
• B. A 24-year-old vegetarian, thin
• C. A 30-year-old multiparous, normal weight
• D. A 22-year-old first pregnancy with past oral contraceptives

Answer: (A)

In the postpartum period, blood is more prone to clotting due to a natural hypercoagulable state and venous stasis from the uterus. Factors that heighten this risk include advanced maternal age and smoking, which promotes platelet activation and vasoconstriction. A 39-year-old smoker combines these strongest risks, making her the most likely to develop a postpartum thromboembolism among the scenarios. The younger, healthy individual and the multiparous but normal-weight case carry less risk, and prior oral contraceptive use adds some risk but not as much as the combination of older age and smoking in this context.

In the postpartum period, blood is more prone to clotting due to a natural hypercoagulable state and venous stasis from the uterus. Factors that heighten this risk include advanced maternal age and smoking, which promotes platelet activation and vasoconstriction. A 39-year-old smoker combines these strongest risks, making her the most likely to develop a postpartum thromboembolism among the scenarios. The younger, healthy individual and the multiparous but normal-weight case carry less risk, and prior oral contraceptive use adds some risk but not as much as the combination of older age and smoking in this context.