What laboratory results would indicate a patient is going into DIC?

What laboratory results would indicate a patient is going into DIC?

• A. Low platelets, low fibrinogen, high PT/PTT
• B. High platelets, high fibrinogen, low PT/PTT
• C. Normal platelets, normal fibrinogen, normal PT/PTT
• D. Low platelets, high fibrinogen, normal PT/PTT

Answer: (A)

DIC is a consumption coagulopathy where widespread clotting uses up platelets and coagulation factors. As clots form throughout the microvasculature, platelets are depleted and fibrinogen is consumed, leading to low platelet count and low fibrinogen. With factors II, V, VII, and X used up, the clotting pathways take longer to generate clots, so prothrombin time and partial thromboplastin time become prolonged. This combination—thrombocytopenia, hypofibrinogenemia, and prolonged PT/PTT—reflects the ongoing consumption of both platelets and coagulation factors, and is characteristic of evolving DIC. Elevated D-dimer would often accompany this pattern due to fibrin degradation, further supporting the diagnosis. In contrast, high platelets or high fibrinogen, or normal coag times, would not fit a consumption coagulopathy like DIC.

DIC is a consumption coagulopathy where widespread clotting uses up platelets and coagulation factors. As clots form throughout the microvasculature, platelets are depleted and fibrinogen is consumed, leading to low platelet count and low fibrinogen. With factors II, V, VII, and X used up, the clotting pathways take longer to generate clots, so prothrombin time and partial thromboplastin time become prolonged. This combination—thrombocytopenia, hypofibrinogenemia, and prolonged PT/PTT—reflects the ongoing consumption of both platelets and coagulation factors, and is characteristic of evolving DIC. Elevated D-dimer would often accompany this pattern due to fibrin degradation, further supporting the diagnosis. In contrast, high platelets or high fibrinogen, or normal coag times, would not fit a consumption coagulopathy like DIC.