Which assessment finding is most strongly associated with DIC in a woman with abruptio placentae?

Which assessment finding is most strongly associated with DIC in a woman with abruptio placentae?

• A. Petechiae
• B. Hematuria
• C. Prolonged clotting times
• D. Oozing from injection sites

Answer: (C)

DIC in the setting of abruptio placentae is a consumption coagulopathy: the placental tissue factor that’s released triggers widespread clotting, using up platelets and clotting factors so the body can’t form proper clots where needed. As these factors get consumed, the clotting cascade slows, and clotting times become prolonged. That’s why prolonged clotting times are the strongest indicator of DIC in this scenario—they reflect the systemic depletion of clotting factors. Clinically, bleeding can appear as oozing from injection sites or unusual petechiae or hematuria, but these are manifestations of the bleeding tendency that follows the factor/platelet depletion. The key here is that the lab change—prolonged PT and aPTT (along with possible low fibrinogen and high D-dimer)—signifies the underlying consumptive process driving DIC in abruptio placentae.

DIC in the setting of abruptio placentae is a consumption coagulopathy: the placental tissue factor that’s released triggers widespread clotting, using up platelets and clotting factors so the body can’t form proper clots where needed. As these factors get consumed, the clotting cascade slows, and clotting times become prolonged. That’s why prolonged clotting times are the strongest indicator of DIC in this scenario—they reflect the systemic depletion of clotting factors.

Clinically, bleeding can appear as oozing from injection sites or unusual petechiae or hematuria, but these are manifestations of the bleeding tendency that follows the factor/platelet depletion. The key here is that the lab change—prolonged PT and aPTT (along with possible low fibrinogen and high D-dimer)—signifies the underlying consumptive process driving DIC in abruptio placentae.