Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is best described as which of the following?

• A. A congenital bleeding disorder
• B. An acquired hemorrhagic syndrome with simultaneous thrombosis and bleeding
• C. A localized bleeding condition of the placenta
• D. A pregnancy-specific clotting disorder

Answer: (B)

Disseminated intravascular coagulation is an acquired, systemic activation of the coagulation system that causes clotting throughout the microcirculation while at the same time consuming platelets and clotting factors, leading to severe bleeding. It is triggered by events such as obstetric emergencies, sepsis, or trauma, not by a congenital defect, and it is not confined to the placenta. The combination of widespread thrombosis and bleeding is what makes this description the best fit. In practice, you’ll see mucosal or IV-site bleeding with possible organ dysfunction from microvascular clots, and labs typically show low platelets, prolonged PT and aPTT, low fibrinogen, and elevated D-dimer.