Certified Nephrology Nurse Certification (CNN) Practice Exam

Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP) is a rare blood disorder characterized by the formation of small blood clots throughout the body, which can lead to a variety of symptoms. The key symptoms of TTP typically include thrombocytopenia (low platelet count), hemolytic anemia, neurologic abnormalities, renal impairment, and fever.

Thrombocytopenia is a hallmark of the disease, as the disease's name suggests, and is critical in diagnosing TTP. Renal impairment is also a common manifestation of TTP because the small clots can affect blood flow to the kidneys. Fever may occasionally be present, signifying an inflammatory response or secondary reactions due to the hemolysis that occurs in TTP.

Hypertension, however, is not typically associated with TTP. While some patients may experience fluctuations in blood pressure, it is not a defining symptom of this condition. Therefore, identifying hypertension as the symptom that does not belong among the classic manifestations of TTP helps clarify the clinical picture of this disorder. The primary focus is on the other symptoms that directly relate to the pathophysiology of TTP.