Progressive Care Nursing Certification (PCCN) Practice Exam

In which condition would a patient most likely present with prolonged PT and PTT?

1. DIC

2. Polycythemia

3. Thrombocytopenia

4. Hemoconcentration

The correct answer is: DIC

A patient with Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC) would most likely present with prolonged prothrombin time (PT) and partial thromboplastin time (PTT). DIC is a complex condition characterized by the widespread activation of the clotting cascade, resulting in the formation of small blood clots throughout the body's small vessels. As the condition progresses, it leads to consumption of clotting factors and platelets, which can eventually deplete them to the point where both the PT and PTT are prolonged. In contrast, the other conditions listed do not typically lead to prolonged PT and PTT. For instance, polycythemia is primarily associated with an increased red blood cell mass and does not directly affect coagulation pathways in the same manner as DIC. Thrombocytopenia involves a low platelet count, which can lead to bleeding but does not inherently influence the PT or PTT unless associated with underlying conditions that affect coagulation factors. Hemoconcentration reflects a relative increase in the concentration of blood components and does not directly impact the coagulation factors measured by PT and PTT. Therefore, DIC is the most relevant condition among the choices provided, as it directly affects the pathways measured by both PT