Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN) Nursing Practice Test

Which laboratory finding is typically increased in DIC?

1. Platelet count

2. Fibrinogen level

3. D-Dimer

4. Hemoglobin

The correct answer is: D-Dimer

DIC, or disseminated intravascular coagulation, is a serious condition characterized by widespread activation of the clotting cascade, leading to the formation of blood clots throughout the small blood vessels. This process depletes platelets and clotting factors, which can subsequently result in bleeding. In patients with DIC, D-Dimer levels typically increase due to the breakdown of fibrin clots. D-Dimer is a fibrin degradation product that is released when a blood clot dissolves. An elevated D-Dimer level indicates ongoing clot formation and breakdown, which is a hallmark of DIC. Other laboratory findings associated with DIC include decreased platelet counts and fibrinogen levels, as they are consumed in the clotting process. Hemoglobin levels may also decrease due to bleeding. Thus, the increase in D-Dimer is specifically indicative of the pathophysiological process occurring in DIC.