A nurse midwife is caring for a female client who recently had an induced abortion through suction curettage. After the procedure, the client develops disseminated intravascular coagulation. The client's platelet count is 35,000 platelets/µL. Which of the following is the nurse midwife's priority action when caring for the client?

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The priority action of the nurse is to administer heparin. Disseminated intravascular coagulation is a condition in which small blood clots form throughout the blood stream. Increased clotting depletes the platelets and clotting factors that control bleeding, which may result in excessive bleeding. Heparin increases anti-thrombin III activity and prevents the conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin. Oxygen may be administered at 2-3L/min. Platelet replacement may be necessary when the client's platelet count decreases to less than 20,000 platelets/µL.

A Nurse Midwife Is Caring for a Female Client Who