The nurse is caring for a patient who has septic shock. Which assessment finding is most important for the nurse to report to the health care provider?

Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a condition characterized by both widespread activation of the coagulation system and excessive clotting, leading to the consumption of clotting factors and platelets. This results in a prothrombotic state, which can lead to organ dysfunction and bleeding manifestations.
Elevated D-dimer levels are a characteristic finding in DIC. D-dimer is a fibrin degradation product that is elevated when there is excessive fibrin formation and breakdown. Elevated D-dimer indicates ongoing fibrinolysis and activation of the clotting system.
B. Decreased prothrombin time in (option B) is incorrect because: DIC is characterized by consumption of clotting factors, which can result in prolongation of the prothrombin time (PT) as well as other coagulation tests.
C. Decreased partial thromboplastin time in (option C) is incorrect because Similar to the prothrombin time, the partial thromboplastin time (PTT) can also be prolonged in DIC due to the consumption of clotting factors.
D. Elevated fibrinogen level in (option D) is incorrect because, In DIC, there is consumption of fibrinogen along with other clotting factors. Therefore, elevated fibrinogen levels are not consistent with the pathophysiology of DIC.

When the low-pressure alarm sounds, it indicates that the pressure being detected by the arterial line is below the set threshold. This could be due to a variety of reasons, such as a loose connection, air bubbles, or a shift in the zero-reference point.
Rezeroing the monitoring equipment involves recalibrating or resetting the baseline reference point for the arterial pressure waveform. This ensures accurate measurement and monitoring of the patient's arterial pressure.
A. Checking the right hand for a rash in (option A) is incorrect because While assessing the patient for any skin changes or rashes is important, it is not the first action to take in response to a low-pressure alarm.
B. Assessing the waveform for under-dampening in (option B) is incorrect because Assessing the waveform characteristics is important in arterial line monitoring, but it may not be the initial action when the low-pressure alarm sounds. Rezeroing the equipment should be performed before assessing waveform characteristics.
C. Assessing for cardiac dysrhythmias in (option C) is incorrect because Assessing for dysrhythmias is an important aspect of patient care, but it may not be directly related to the low-pressure alarm from the arterial line. Rezeroing the monitoring equipment takes precedence.
Therefore, when the low-pressure alarm sounds for a patient with an arterial line, the nurse should first re-zero the monitoring equipment to ensure accurate measurement of arterial pressure.