A 30-year-old woman who has given birth 12 hours prior is displaying signs and symptoms of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). The client's husband is confused as to why a disease of coagulation can result in bleeding. Which of the nurse's following statements best characterizes DIC?
A) "So much clotting takes place that there are no available clotting components left, and bleeding ensues."
B) "Massive clotting causes irritation, friction, and bleeding in the small blood vessels."
C) "Excessive activation of clotting causes an overload of vital organs, resulting in bleeding."
D) "The same hormones and bacteria that cause clotting also cause bleeding."

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

DIC hemorrhage results from an insufficiency of clotting proteins after large-scale coagulation. It is not a result of physical irritation, organ overload, or bacteria and hormones.

A 30-Year-Old Woman Who Has Given Birth 12 Hours Prior