**Question:** All of the following are true of D.I.C. except:

A. Increased vascular permeability
B. Deterioration of coagulation
C. Increased vascular permeability and deterioration of coagulation
D. Increased vascular permeability and decreased cardiac output

**Core Concept:** D.I.C. (Damage-Induced Coagulopathy) is a syndrome characterized by systemic inflammation leading to a hypercoagulable state, resulting in a balance between increased vascular permeability, coagulation dysfunction, and decreased cardiac output.

**Why the Correct Answer is Right:** The correct answer is **D.** Increased vascular permeability and decreased cardiac output**,** as it does not include deterioration of coagulation, which is a key feature of D.I.C. Deterioration of coagulation is a significant component of the syndrome, while decreased cardiac output is less specific to D.I.C. and can occur in other conditions as well.

**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect:**

**A.** Increased vascular permeability: This is a key feature of D.I.C., making it incorrect.

**B.** Deterioration of coagulation: This is also a key feature of D.I.C., making it incorrect.

**C.** Increased vascular permeability and deterioration of coagulation: This is partially correct but fails to mention the decrease in cardiac output, making it incorrect.

**Clinical Pearl:** D.I.C. presents as a balance between increased vascular permeability, coagulation dysfunction, and decreased cardiac output in response to tissue damage due to inflammation and sepsis. This understanding helps in distinguishing D.I.C. from related conditions like sepsis, where the focus is more on coagulation dysfunction and decreased cardiac output.