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Disseminated intravascular coagulation — SCE Acute Medicine MCQ

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ModerateHaematological EmergenciesDisseminated intravascular coagulationSCE Acute Medicine

A 67-year-old man is assessed on the acute medical unit. He has septic shock with bleeding from cannula sites. Platelets are low, PT and APTT are prolonged, fibrinogen is low and D-dimer is high. Initial assessment includes relevant observations, bedside tests and urgent blood results. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

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Correct answer: C — Disseminated intravascular coagulation

Disseminated intravascular coagulation is the best answer because the combination of sepsis, bleeding and consumptive coagulopathy is DIC. Acute kidney injury is plausible, but it is less appropriate for the physiology or timing described in this stem. The other distractors either fit a neighbouring presentation, delay definitive treatment, or miss the key immediate risk. Clinical pearl: Treat the underlying cause while supporting coagulation if bleeding.

Reference: BSH DIC guideline