Which statement correctly pairs the disease with its hallmark laboratory finding?

Which statement correctly pairs the disease with its hallmark laboratory finding?

• A. DIC: prolonged PT, low fibrinogen, low platelets, high D-dimers
• B. HIT: elevated platelets with no clots
• C. TTP: normal ADAMTS13 activity
• D. vWD Type 3: increased vWF levels

Answer: (A)

Disseminated intravascular coagulation is a consumption coagulopathy where widespread activation of clotting uses up platelets and coagulation factors, leading to both bleeding and clotting. The hallmark labs reflect this consumption: prolonged PT (and often aPTT), low fibrinogen, low platelets, and elevated D-dimer from increased fibrin degradation. The described pairing aligns with this pattern, making it the best match. For the other conditions, the described lab findings don’t fit. Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia typically features a drop in platelets with a risk of thrombosis, not elevated platelets. Thrombotic thrombocytopenia purpura involves severely reduced ADAMTS13 activity, not normal activity. Von Willebrand disease type 3 has markedly decreased (not increased) vWF levels.

Disseminated intravascular coagulation is a consumption coagulopathy where widespread activation of clotting uses up platelets and coagulation factors, leading to both bleeding and clotting. The hallmark labs reflect this consumption: prolonged PT (and often aPTT), low fibrinogen, low platelets, and elevated D-dimer from increased fibrin degradation. The described pairing aligns with this pattern, making it the best match.

For the other conditions, the described lab findings don’t fit. Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia typically features a drop in platelets with a risk of thrombosis, not elevated platelets. Thrombotic thrombocytopenia purpura involves severely reduced ADAMTS13 activity, not normal activity. Von Willebrand disease type 3 has markedly decreased (not increased) vWF levels.