DIC

Etiology / Pathophysiology

• Sepsis, trauma, obstetric complications, malignancy, or shock can trigger widespread clotting and bleeding.
• The clotting system activates everywhere, uses up platelets/factors, then the client bleeds.

Medications

No specific medication class was seeded for this card.

Nursing actions

• Assess bleeding from lines, gums, wounds, stool/urine, and signs of organ ischemia.
• Treat underlying cause and prepare blood products or clotting support as ordered.
• Monitor perfusion, oxygenation, labs, and shock signs closely.

Complications

• Hemorrhage
• Organ failure
• Shock
• Death

NCLEX cues

• Bleeding and clotting at the same time.
• Sepsis plus oozing from IV sites is classic.

Memory hooks

• DIC: clot, consume, bleed.

Labs / Diagnostics

• Platelets low
• PT/INR and aPTT prolonged
• Fibrinogen low
• D-dimer elevated

Review notes

• Session-derived study seed. Verify against school materials, ATI/NCLEX review sources, current orders, and facility policy before relying on details.