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Nursing Care Plan for Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation... also known as DIC

Pathophysiology
A condition in which small blood clots form throughout the body’s small blood vessels. Since these clots use up the platelets and clotting factors in the blood, serious bleeding can occur both internally and externally. Acute DIC develops over a few hours or days and leads to serious bleeding. Chronic DIC develops over weeks or months and generally does not lead to excessive bleeding, but the formation of more clots.

Etiology
There are several diseases and disorders that cause DIC, but it is generally derived from one of two processes: inflammatory response, such as sepsis or major trauma or exposure of procoagulant material in the blood, such as cancer, brain injury or obstetric event. It is also a common result of venomous snake bites. Presentation and treatment usually depends on the cause and whether the condition is acute or chronic.

Desired Outcome
Treat the underlying cause; optimal gas exchange, restore clotting factor and reduced risk of bleeding

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