The nurse evaluates a patient with sepsis for the development of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). What is a sign that the patient may have developed this complication?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

1. Ecchymoses of the gums or skin is a sign that the patient has developed DIC.
2. The patient will show signs of bleeding. In this state, it would be unusual to find resistance when flushing a capped port of a central venous catheter.
3. The D-dimer will be increased due to fibrinolysis.
4. Fibrinogen and platelets will be decreased as they are used in the clotting cascade.

The Nurse Evaluates a Patient with Sepsis for the Development