Quesmed videos (DIC)

Question 1

What is DIC (disseminated intravascular coagulation)?

Answer 1

Inappropriate activation of the clotting cascades, resulting in thrombus formation and depletion of clotting factors and platelets.

Question 2

What are the typical blood findings for DIC?

Answer 2

Decreased fibrinogen

Decreased platelets

Increased D-dimer

Question 3

Patients typically present with little to no bleeding in DIC. True/false?

Answer 3

False

Patients present with excess bleeding

Question 4

What are the physical signs of DIC?

Answer 4

Petechiae (small purple spots caused by bleeding under the skin)

Confusion

Hypotension

Question 5

Risk factors for DIC?

Answer 5

Major trauma

Burns

Severe sepsis

Obstetric complications

Solid tumours

Haematological malignancies

Question 6

What abnormal coagulation tests are present for DIC?

Answer 6

Thrombocytopenia (decreased platelets)

Increased prothrombin time

Increased fibrin degradation products (such as D-dimer)

Decreased fibrinogen

Question 7

What are some of the obstetric complications that would cause DIC?

Answer 7

Amniotic fluid embolism

HELLP syndrome

Question 8

What is the underlying pathology for DIC?

Answer 8

With DIC there is LOTS of clotting.

Due to the high amount of clotting, all the platelets and fibrinogen is used up. Leading to low platelet and fibrinogen levels.

As a result of the high amounts of clotting, D-dimer is released causing high levels in the blood.

Question 8

Why is there excess bleeding in DIC?

Answer 8

The platelets and fibrinogen are all used up, causing the patient to bleed everywhere.