What is the coagulation screen result for prothrombin time (PT) in a patient with DIC?

In disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), the coagulation screen is characterized by a prolonged prothrombin time (PT). DIC is a serious condition that leads to systemic activation of the coagulation cascade, resulting in the consumption of clotting factors and platelets.

As DIC progresses, factors necessary for clotting, including prothrombin, are depleted, leading to a prolonged PT. A normal PT indicates that the coagulation pathway is functioning appropriately, which is not the case in DIC. A shortened PT would suggest a hypercoagulable state, which is not consistent with the pathophysiology of DIC that causes widespread clotting followed by bleeding due to factor depletion.

Variable results might suggest fluctuations in coagulation status but do not specifically reflect the clear and consistent finding of prolonged PT associated with DIC. Therefore, the correct answer highlights the characteristic coagulation abnormality seen in patients with this condition.