Which finding would most strongly suggest a risk of DIC in a patient with abruptio placentae?

Which finding would most strongly suggest a risk of DIC in a patient with abruptio placentae?

• A. Petechiae
• B. Normal platelet count
• C. Normal PT/INR
• D. Oozing from injection sites

Answer: (D)

In abruptio placentae, tissue factor released into the maternal circulation can trigger widespread coagulation, leading to a consumption coagulopathy known as DIC. The body uses up platelets and clotting factors faster than it can replace them, so both bleeding and abnormal clotting can occur. Among signs, active bleeding is the most telling—especially oozing from injection sites—because it shows the blood’s impaired ability to form stable clots across the body. Petechiae can appear with DIC, but they’re smaller, less specific signs of bleeding. Normal platelet count and a normal PT/INR would argue against DIC, since DIC typically causes low platelets and prolonged clotting times. Therefore, oozing from injection sites most strongly indicates a risk of DIC in this context.

In abruptio placentae, tissue factor released into the maternal circulation can trigger widespread coagulation, leading to a consumption coagulopathy known as DIC. The body uses up platelets and clotting factors faster than it can replace them, so both bleeding and abnormal clotting can occur. Among signs, active bleeding is the most telling—especially oozing from injection sites—because it shows the blood’s impaired ability to form stable clots across the body.

Petechiae can appear with DIC, but they’re smaller, less specific signs of bleeding. Normal platelet count and a normal PT/INR would argue against DIC, since DIC typically causes low platelets and prolonged clotting times. Therefore, oozing from injection sites most strongly indicates a risk of DIC in this context.