Canadian Health Information Management Association Practice Exam

Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC) is when there is excessive clotting in circulation. Which of the following is not true about DIC?

1. Could lead to organ failure.

2. It is not life threatening.

3. Thrombi may occur.

4. Uncontrollable hemorrhage may result.

The correct answer is: It is not life threatening.

Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC) is a serious condition characterized by an overactivation of the clotting process, leading to the formation of small blood clots throughout the body's blood vessels. This excessive clotting can indeed lead to multiple complications, including organ failure and uncontrollable hemorrhage, as the clotting factors and platelets become depleted over time. Option B states that DIC is not life-threatening, which is not accurate. DIC can rapidly progress and result in severe consequences, including major organ dysfunction or failure, making it a critical condition that requires immediate medical intervention. The potential for life-threatening complications is a key characteristic of DIC, thus indicating that this statement does not hold true in the context of the condition. On the other hand, the other statements reflect true aspects of DIC; it can lead to organ failure, thrombi formation, and uncontrollable hemorrhage, all of which exemplify the severe nature of this disorder.