Progressive Care Nursing Certification (PCCN) Practice Exam

Which of the following laboratory diagnostic findings will most likely be seen in disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)?

1. PT and PTT prolonged

2. Fibrinogen increased

3. Platelet count increased

4. D-dimer within normal limits

The correct answer is: PT and PTT prolonged

In disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), a condition characterized by widespread activation of the clotting cascade, the laboratory findings reflect the body's attempt to form clots while simultaneously experiencing consumptive coagulopathy. One of the hallmark laboratory findings in DIC is the prolongation of both prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (PTT). This occurs because in DIC, there is consumption of coagulation factors as they are activated excessively, leading to their depletion over time. As a result, the PT and PTT prolong due to the lowered levels of these clotting factors, which are essential for normal coagulation pathways. In contrast, in DIC, fibrinogen levels are typically decreased rather than increased, as fibrinogen is consumed in the formation of fibrin clots. The platelet count is also often decreased, not increased, due to the consumption of platelets during the coagulation process. Additionally, D-dimer levels are usually elevated in DIC as they reflect the breakdown of fibrin clots; thus, normal D-dimer levels would not be expected. These diagnostic findings are critical for the diagnosis and management of DIC, allowing healthcare professionals to identify the