Which term describes tissue death due to a local lack of oxygen caused by obstruction of the tissue's blood supply?

• A. TTP
• B. Necrosis
• C. Infarct
• D. Ostomy

Answer: (C)

This item tests recognizing infarction, the death of tissue caused by ischemia from a blocked blood supply. When a vessel feeding tissue becomes obstructed, oxygen delivery drops, and if the loss persists, the affected area undergoes cell death, forming an infarct—a localized patch of dead tissue. Necrosis is a broader term for tissue death from various causes, not specifically due to vascular obstruction. The other options describe unrelated concepts—one is a blood disorder, the other a surgical procedure—so they don’t fit the scenario. Common examples include myocardial infarction and cerebral infarct.