The labor of a pregnant woman with preeclampsia is going to be induced.Before initiating the oxytocin (Pitocin)infusion,the nurse reviews the woman's latest laboratory test findings,which reveal a platelet count of 90,000,an elevated aspartate transaminase (AST)level,and a falling hematocrit.The nurse notifies the physician because the lab results are indicative of:

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HELLP syndrome is a laboratory diagnosis for a variant of severe preeclampsia that involves hepatic dysfunction characterized by hemolysis (H),elevated liver enzymes (EL),and low platelets (LP).Eclampsia is determined by the presence of seizures.DIC is a potential complication associated with HELLP syndrome.Idiopathic thrombocytopenia is the presence of low platelets of unknown cause and is not associated with preeclampsia.

The Labor of a Pregnant Woman with Preeclampsia Is Going