A 53-Year-Old Woman Recently Diagnosed with Systemic Sclerosis Comes to the Emergency

A 53-year-old woman recently diagnosed with systemic sclerosis comes to the emergency department with headaches, increasing dyspnea, malaise, and nausea.  Her medications include lansoprazole for heartburn and nifedipine for finger discoloration and pain.  Physical examination reveals a distressed and anxious woman.  Her blood pressure is 235/117 mm Hg and pulse is 120/min.  She has visible skin tightening over the face, forearms, chest, and legs.  She has difficulty opening her mouth due to tightening of the skin around the mouth.  Lung examination shows bibasilar inspiratory crackles.  Laboratory studies are as follows: Which of the following red blood cell abnormalities is most likely to be present in the peripheral blood smear?

A) Burr cells
B) Howell-Jolly bodies
C) Schistocytes
D) Spur cells
E) Target cells

Correct Answer:

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