DIC

Question 1

patho of DIC (disseminated intravascular coagulation)

Answer 1

hypercoagulable state (too many clots) use up all of my clotting factors - doesn’t turn off
always secondary to another process
no micro-circulation - necrosis in periphery (toes/fingers)
clotting and bleeding
weak peripheral pulses
bleeding times are high (longer to stop bld)
systemic hemorrhage

Question 2

causes of DIC

Answer 2

shock
trauma 
burns
cancer 
abruptio placentae
sepsis

Question 3

s/s of DIC

Answer 3

petechiae
bleeding (iv site, gums, cath/urine)
decreased perfusion to organs
strokes

Question 4

dx DIC

Answer 4

prolonged PT, PTT
decreased fibrinogen (decreased clot)
increased level of fibrin split
increased d-dimer

Question 5

treatment for DIC

Answer 5

restore perfusion to organs
replace fluids
oxygen
reverse clotting mechanisms
give pt. heparin drip (releases clotting factors tied up)