Final answer:
Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC) is a condition characterized by widespread blood clotting throughout the body. Lab findings in DIC include increased fibrin degradation products, elevated thrombin-antithrombin complexes, abnormal prothrombin time, and low antithrombin levels.
Step-by-step explanation:
Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC) is a condition characterized by widespread blood clotting throughout the body, leading to organ damage and bleeding. Lab findings in DIC include:
- Increased fibrin degradation products: This is a measure of the breakdown of fibrin, a protein involved in blood clotting. In DIC, the increased production of fibrinogen leads to increased breakdown, resulting in elevated levels of fibrin degradation products.
- Elevated thrombin-antithrombin complexes: Thrombin is an enzyme involved in blood clotting, and antithrombin is a protein that regulates its activity. In DIC, there is excessive activation of the clotting cascade, leading to elevated levels of thrombin-antithrombin complexes.
- Abnormal prothrombin time: Prothrombin time measures the time it takes for blood to clot. In DIC, the clotting cascade is dysregulated, leading to an abnormal prothrombin time.
- Low antithrombin levels: Antithrombin is a protein that inhibits blood clotting. In DIC, there is consumption of antithrombin as a result of excessive clotting, leading to low levels.