Final answer:
On the differential blood cell film of patients with DIC, evidence of schistocytes is often found, indicating the fragmentation of red blood cells due to abnormal clotting within small blood vessels.
Step-by-step explanation:
Patients with Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC) often have evidence of schistocytes on the differential blood cell film. DIC is a complex disorder marked by the widespread activation of coagulation, which leads to the formation of blood clots in small blood vessels throughout the body. As red blood cells (RBCs) pass through these clotted vessels, they can become fragmented, leading to the formation of schistocytes. These schistocytes are fragmented parts of RBCs and are a characteristic indicator of hemolytic anemias, including DIC. The presence of schistocytes typically signals a mechanical injury to the red blood cells due to the abnormal clotting. In contrast, conditions such as polychythemia, FDPs (fibrin degradation products), or myeloproliferation, affect the blood in different ways and would not typically present with schistocytes as a finding on the blood film.