Patho. Chp. 16

Question 1

Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC) definition

Answer 1

A life-threatening condition of widespread clotting followed by depletion of clotting factors and severe bleeding.

Question 2

Primary problem in DIC

Answer 2

Uncontrolled activation of coagulation throughout the body.

Question 3

Two phases of DIC

Answer 3

Excessive clotting (thrombosis) followed by bleeding (hemorrhage).

Question 4

Common triggers of DIC

Answer 4

Trauma, surgery, burns, infection (sepsis), shock, malignancy, obstetric complications.

Question 5

What initiates DIC

Answer 5

Endothelial or tissue injury.

Question 6

Pathophysiology of DIC

Answer 6

Widespread microclots form, consuming platelets and clotting factors.

Question 7

Effect of microclots

Answer 7

Tissue ischemia and organ damage.

Question 8

Why bleeding occurs in DIC

Answer 8

Clotting factors and platelets become depleted (consumptive coagulopathy).

Question 9

Microcirculation impact

Answer 9

Clots block small vessels causing organ dysfunction.

Question 10

Organs commonly affected

Answer 10

Brain, kidneys, lungs, heart.

Question 11

Acute DIC presentation

Answer 11

Bleeding and hemorrhage.

Question 12

Chronic DIC presentation

Answer 12

Excess clotting and thrombosis.

Question 13

Bleeding manifestations

Answer 13

Petechiae, bruising, epistaxis, bleeding gums.

Question 14

Other bleeding signs

Answer 14

Blood in urine, stool, sputum, or vomit.

Question 15

Severe complication of bleeding

Answer 15

Hypovolemic shock.

Question 16

Thrombotic manifestations

Answer 16

Headache, weakness, seizures, decreased urine output.

Question 17

Renal manifestation of thrombosis

Answer 17

Oliguria or renal failure.

Question 18

Pulmonary manifestation

Answer 18

Dyspnea, respiratory distress.

Question 19

Cardiac manifestation

Answer 19

Chest pain.

Question 20

Key diagnostic priority

Answer 20

Identify and treat the underlying cause.

Question 21

Screening lab tests for DIC

Answer 21

PT, PTT, platelet count, fibrinogen level.

Question 22

PT finding in DIC

Answer 22

Prolonged.

Question 23

PTT finding in DIC

Answer 23

Prolonged.

Question 24

Platelet count in DIC

Answer 24

Decreased.

Question 25

Fibrinogen level in DIC

Answer 25

Decreased.

Question 26

Confirmatory test for DIC

Answer 26

Elevated D-dimer.

Question 27

What D-dimer indicates

Answer 27

Fibrin formation and breakdown.

Question 28

Normal PT range

Answer 28

Approximately 11–14 seconds.

Question 29

Normal PTT range

Answer 29

Approximately 22–34 seconds.

Question 30

Why PT/PTT are prolonged

Answer 30

Consumption of clotting factors.

Question 31

Treatment priority

Answer 31

Treat the underlying condition.

Question 32

Treatment for bleeding in DIC

Answer 32

Replace clotting factors and platelets (FFP, cryoprecipitate, platelets).

Question 33

Treatment for excessive clotting

Answer 33

Anticoagulation (heparin) if appropriate.

Question 34

Overall treatment goal

Answer 34

Restore balance between clotting and bleeding.

Question 35

Nursing priority

Answer 35

Early recognition of bleeding and organ dysfunction.

Question 36

NCLEX memory tip for DIC

Answer 36

“Clotting everywhere → bleeding everywhere.”