A nurse is reviewing the PT, aPTT, and INR laboratory values for a client who is experiencing an acute episode of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). Which of the following laboratory results should the nurse expect?

Choice A Reason: Cause of the burn is not the nurse's priority when assessing the severity of the client's burns. The cause of the burn may indicate the type and duration of exposure, such as thermal, chemical, electrical, or radiation, which can affect the depth and extent of injury. However, these factors are secondary to ensuring adequate oxygenation and ventilation.

Choice B Reason: Age of the client is not the nurse's priority when assessing the severity of the client's burns. The age of the client may influence the response to burn injury, such as healing time, infection risk, and fluid requirements.

However, these factors are secondary to ensuring adequate oxygenation and ventilation.

Choice C Reason: Associated medical history is not the nurse's priority when assessing the severity of the client's burns. The associated medical history may affect the outcome and prognosis of burn injury, such as pre-existing conditions, medications, or allergies. However, these factors are secondary to ensuring adequate oxygenation and ventilation.

Choice D Reason: Location of the burn is the nurse's priority when assessing the severity of the client's burns. The location of the burn can indicate the potential for life-threatening complications, such as airway obstruction, inhalation injury, or impaired circulation. The nurse should assess for signs and symptoms of respiratory distress, such as stridor, wheezes, or cyanosis, and prepare for endotracheal intubation if needed. The nurse should also monitor for signs and symptoms of compartment syndrome, such as pain, pallor, paresthesia, pulselessness, or paralysis, and report any findings to the provider. The location of the burn can also affect the functional and cosmetic outcomes, such as vision loss, facial disfigurement, or joint contractures. The nurse should provide appropriate wound care, pain management, and rehabilitation as prescribed. Assessing for location of burn is essential to prevent further injury and preserve vital functions.

Choice A Reason: This choice is incorrect because furosemide is a diuretic that helps to reduce fluid retention and edema. It may be used for clients who have heart failure or hypertension, but it does not treat pulmonary embolism.

Choice B Reason: This choice is correct because heparin is an anticoagulant that helps to prevent blood clots from forming or growing larger. It may be used for clients who have pulmonary embolism, which is a blockage of a pulmonary artery by a blood clot that usually originates from a deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Heparin can reduce the risk of complications such as pulmonary infarction or death.

Choice C Reason: This choice is incorrect because dexamethasone is a corticosteroid that helps to reduce inflammation and immune response. It may be used for clients who have allergic reactions, asthma, or autoimmune diseases, but it does not treat pulmonary embolism.

Choice D Reason: This choice is incorrect because epinephrine is a sympathomimetic that helps to stimulate the heart and blood vessels. It may be used for clients who have cardiac arrest, anaphylaxis, or severe asthma, but it does not treat pulmonary embolism.

Choice E Reason: This choice is incorrect because atropine is an anticholinergic that helps to block the effects of acetylcholine on the heart and smooth muscles. It may be used for clients who have bradycardia, atrioventricular block, or organophosphate poisoning, but it does not treat pulmonary embolism.