A consumptive process (of platelets and clotting factors) typically triggered by a severe infection (e.g. bacterial sepsis), trauma, cancer (many types, in particular APML), or another severe process
Risk Factors
Severe illness
Symptoms
Symptoms related to underlying problem (e.g. f, pain, sob, etc secondary to a site of infection)
Bleeding at puncture sites, mucosa related to thrombocytopenia and lack of clotting factors
Less commonly causes thrombosis (5-10%)--> e.g. limb or digit ischemia
Physical Exam Findings
Severe illness with abnormal VS and focal findings related to the primary process (infxn, trauma, etc)
Mucosal and puncture site bleeding
Tests
CBC w/anemia, low plts; schistocytes on peripheral smear