In a patient receiving corticosteroids for immune thrombocytopenia purpura, which observation indicates effective treatment?

The observation that indicates effective treatment in a patient receiving corticosteroids for immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is a platelet count of 175,000. In ITP, the main concern is the low platelet count due to an autoimmune process where the body mistakenly attacks and destroys platelets. The goal of treatment with corticosteroids is to suppress this immune response, leading to an increase in the platelet count.

A platelet count of 175,000 is considered within the normal range (150,000 to 450,000 platelets per microliter of blood). This indicates that the corticosteroids are successfully reducing the immune-mediated destruction of platelets, allowing for their production and increasing their count in circulation. Therefore, a return to a normal platelet count demonstrates effective treatment and management of the condition.

Observations such as minimal bleeding after injection or fading purpuric lesions can provide supportive evidence of the treatment's effectiveness but do not directly correlate to the primary goal of therapy, which is to increase platelet levels. The erythrocyte count is generally not a direct measure of the effectiveness of treatment for ITP, as the main focus is on the platelet count. Thus, a platelet count within the normal range is the most definitive indicator