Introduction
Introduction ( 5 Questions)
A nurse is monitoring a postpartum client who has disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC).
Which of the following manifestations should the nurse report to the provider immediately?
Petechiae on the chest and abdomen are common manifestations of DIC due to low platelet count and increased fibrin degradation products.
Hematuria in the urinary catheter bag is another manifestation of DIC due to bleeding in the urinary tract.
It is not an emergency unless it is accompanied by other signs of shock or renal failure.
These are signs of shock due to severe blood loss and should be reported to the provider immediately. DIC can cause both excessive clotting and bleeding, which can lead to organ damage and death.
Oozing of blood from IV site is also a manifestation of DIC due to impaired coagulation.
It can be managed by applying pressure and changing the dressing.
The correct answer is choice C. Tachycardia and hypotension.
These are signs of shock due to severe blood loss and should be reported to the provider immediately. DIC can cause both excessive clotting and bleeding, which can lead to organ damage and death.
Choice A is wrong because petechiae on the chest and abdomen are common manifestations of DIC due to low platelet count and increased fibrin degradation products.
They are not life-threatening by themselves and do not require immediate intervention.
Choice B is wrong because hematuria in the urinary catheter bag is another manifestation of DIC due to bleeding in the urinary tract.
It is not an emergency unless it is accompanied by other signs of shock or renal failure.
Choice D is wrong because oozing of blood from IV site is also a manifestation of DIC due to impaired coagulation.
It can be managed by applying pressure and changing the dressing.
It is not a priority over signs of shock.
Normal ranges for platelet count are 150,000 to 450,000 per microliter of blood, for fibrinogen level are 200 to 400 mg/dL, for prothrombin time are 11 to 13.5 seconds, for partial thromboplastin time are 25 to 35 seconds, and for D-dimer level are less than 0.5 mcg/mL.