The nurse would assess the client diagnosed with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) for which manifestation of the disorder?
Petechiae
Diarrhea
Intractable vomiting
Urinary incontinence
The Correct Answer is A
A. Petechiae (small, pinpoint hemorrhages) are a common manifestation of DIC due to the excessive clotting and subsequent breakdown of clotting factors, leading to bleeding into the skin.
B. Diarrhea is not typically a primary symptom of DIC, although gastrointestinal bleeding can occur in severe cases.
C. Intractable vomiting is not characteristic of DIC, although it could occur in clients with severe bleeding or complications.
D. Urinary incontinence is not a direct manifestation of DIC, although it could occur secondary to neurological or other systemic complications.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. This test set is incomplete for diagnosing DIC. While PT and fibrinogen are important, the eosinophil count is not a key test for DIC.
B. While fibrin degradation products are useful, lactic acid is not specific for DIC and may indicate other issues. A complete blood count is helpful but not definitive for diagnosing DIC.
C. These are key markers for DIC. An elevated D-dimer indicates clot formation and breakdown, while fibrinogen and fibrin degradation products are used to assess clotting and fibrinolysis, both of which are abnormal in DIC.
D. Complete blood count, complete metabolic panel, and prothrombin time are general tests and can give some clues, but they are not definitive for diagnosing DIC.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. A heart rate of 100 beats per minute is considered tachycardia (a heart rate above 100 bpm). This is not an indicator of improvement in heart failure, as it suggests the heart is working harder than usual. Chronic heart failure can lead to compensatory mechanisms such as tachycardia, but it’s typically not a sign of improvement.
B. Peripheral edema (swelling in the legs, ankles, or feet) is a common symptom of heart failure, resulting from fluid buildup due to poor cardiac output. A rating of +3 edema indicates moderate to severe swelling, which suggests fluid retention and poor circulation. This is a sign of worsening or poorly controlled heart failure, not improvement.
C. A respiratory rate of 24 breaths per minute is slightly elevated, as the normal resting respiratory rate for adults is typically between 12 to 20 breaths per minute. A higher respiratory rate can be a sign of respiratory distress or compensatory breathing due to insufficient oxygenation or fluid buildup in the lungs (pulmonary edema), which are both symptoms of heart failure exacerbation.
D. Being alert and oriented X 3 means the client is aware of time, place, and person, indicating no signs of confusion or cognitive impairment. In the context of chronic heart failure, mental status changes (like confusion or disorientation) can occur due to decreased cerebral perfusion, low oxygen levels, or medications (such as diuretics or digitalis.
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