What signs may lead to the suspicion of DIC in patients?

Prepare for the Adult–Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certification (AGACNP) Test. Practice with comprehensive quizzes, gain confidence with detailed explanations, and excel in your exam!

The suspicion of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is primarily based on the clinical presentation of bleeding and thrombosis. DIC is a complex disorder characterized by the overactivation of the coagulation cascade, which leads to the formation of blood clots throughout the small blood vessels. This process can result in the depletion of clotting factors and platelets, ultimately leading to bleeding, which can manifest as petechiae, purpura, or oozing from puncture sites.

Simultaneously, patients may experience thrombosis due to the hypercoagulable state induced by DIC. The co-occurrence of bleeding and thrombosis is distinctive for DIC and differentiates it from other coagulation disorders. Recognizing these signs is crucial for an early diagnosis and timely management of this potentially life-threatening condition, as it often requires prompt intervention to address the underlying cause and manage the coagulopathy.

The other choices do not specifically indicate DIC. Increased blood pressure can be seen in various clinical conditions, and decreased temperature is less commonly associated with DIC. Weight loss is a nonspecific symptom that can arise from numerous other health issues but does not directly connect to the acute changes seen in DIC. Therefore, the combination

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