Haemodynamics: disseminated intravascular coagulation: practice question

A Pathology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Pathology · Haemodynamics: disseminated intravascular coagulation

Sample item

A patient with placental abruption has oozing from venepuncture sites, thrombocytopenia, prolonged PT and aPTT, and low fibrinogen. What process best explains this?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. Disseminated intravascular coagulation

DIC causes widespread thrombin generation, consumption of platelets and clotting factors, and secondary fibrinolysis. Obstetric catastrophe is a classic precipitant.

Option by option

  • A. Haemophilia A

    Haemophilia A prolongs aPTT but does not consume platelets or fibrinogen.

  • B. Disseminated intravascular coagulation (correct)

    Correct. Consumption coagulopathy explains both thrombosis and bleeding.

  • C. Vitamin K deficiency alone

    Vitamin K deficiency does not usually cause profound thrombocytopenia and low fibrinogen.

  • D. Immune thrombocytopenia

    ITP causes isolated thrombocytopenia with normal coagulation times.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Pathology question

What is the answer to this Pathology question?

The best answer is B, Disseminated intravascular coagulation. DIC causes widespread thrombin generation, consumption of platelets and clotting factors, and secondary fibrinolysis.

Why is "Haemophilia A" not the answer?

Haemophilia A prolongs aPTT but does not consume platelets or fibrinogen.

Why is "Vitamin K deficiency alone" not the answer?

Vitamin K deficiency does not usually cause profound thrombocytopenia and low fibrinogen.

Why is "Immune thrombocytopenia" not the answer?

ITP causes isolated thrombocytopenia with normal coagulation times.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Haemodynamics: disseminated intravascular coagulation in Pathology. Obstetric catastrophe is a classic precipitant.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Haemodynamics: disseminated intravascular coagulation?

Learn each disease as a bundle: cause, key histology, markers, and the clinical hallmark. Then use the flashcards and the other Pathology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.