While monitoring a client for the development of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), the nurse should take note of which assessment parameters?
Platelet count, blood glucose levels, and white blood cell (WBC) count
Thrombin time, calcium levels, and potassium levels
Platelet count, prothrombin time, and partial thromboplastin time
Fibrinogen level, WBC, and platelet count
The Correct Answer is C
Reasoning:
Choice A reason: Platelet count and WBC count are relevant, but blood glucose levels are not specific to DIC. DIC involves widespread clotting and bleeding, depleting platelets and coagulation factors, affecting clotting times. Glucose levels are unrelated to the coagulopathy central to DIC’s pathophysiology, making this set less comprehensive.
Choice B reason: Thrombin time is relevant to DIC, but calcium and potassium levels are not primary indicators. Calcium may affect clotting in specific contexts, but DIC primarily involves consumption of platelets and clotting factors, prolonging prothrombin and partial thromboplastin times, making these more critical parameters.
Choice C reason: Platelet count, prothrombin time (PT), and partial thromboplastin time (PTT) are key in DIC monitoring. DIC causes widespread microthrombi, consuming platelets and clotting factors, leading to low platelets and prolonged PT/PTT. These parameters directly reflect the coagulopathy and bleeding risk, making them essential for diagnosis and management.
Choice D reason: Fibrinogen level and platelet count are important in DIC, as both are consumed in widespread clotting. However, WBC count is less specific, as it reflects infection or inflammation, not coagulopathy. PT and PTT better capture the clotting factor depletion central to DIC’s pathophysiology.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["A","B","E"]
Explanation
Reasoning:
Choice A reason: Neurologic function must be monitored in SIADH, as excessive water retention causes hyponatremia, which can lead to cerebral edema, seizures, or altered mental status. Tricyclic antidepressants may exacerbate SIADH by stimulating ADH release, making neurologic assessment critical to detect complications like confusion or seizures early.
Choice B reason: Strict intake and output monitoring is essential in SIADH to manage fluid overload. Excessive ADH causes water retention, and tracking fluid balance helps guide fluid restriction therapy to correct hyponatremia. This ensures the nurse can assess the effectiveness of interventions and prevent worsening fluid accumulation.
Choice C reason: Liver function tests are not directly relevant to SIADH management. While tricyclic antidepressants can affect liver function, SIADH primarily involves water retention and hyponatremia, not hepatic issues. Monitoring liver function is more relevant for drug toxicity, not the fluid and electrolyte imbalances of SIADH.
Choice D reason: Signs of dehydration are not a concern in SIADH, which causes water retention and fluid overload. Dehydration is more typical of diabetes insipidus, where water loss occurs. In SIADH, the focus is on preventing excessive fluid accumulation, making dehydration monitoring unnecessary in this context.
Choice E reason: Urine and blood chemistry, including sodium and osmolality, are critical in SIADH to monitor hyponatremia and fluid status. Elevated urine osmolality and low serum sodium indicate ongoing ADH excess. Regular monitoring guides fluid restriction and therapy to correct electrolyte imbalances and prevent complications like cerebral edema.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Reasoning:
Choice A reason: Effective treatment of diabetes insipidus, typically with desmopressin, restores ADH function, reducing excessive urine output and thirst. Fluid intake below 2,500 ml/day indicates improved water reabsorption in the kidneys, normalizing fluid balance and reducing polyuria, which is a key sign of successful management of this condition.
Choice B reason: A heart rate of 126 beats/minute indicates tachycardia, often a sign of dehydration or hypovolemia in untreated diabetes insipidus. Effective treatment should normalize heart rate by correcting fluid balance, so persistent tachycardia suggests ongoing fluid loss and ineffective treatment, not a successful therapeutic outcome.
Choice C reason: Blood pressure of 90/50 mm Hg indicates hypotension, which can result from severe dehydration in untreated diabetes insipidus. Effective treatment should stabilize blood pressure by restoring fluid volume through improved water reabsorption, making low blood pressure an indicator of poor treatment response rather than success.
Choice D reason: Urine output exceeding 200 ml/hour reflects polyuria, a primary symptom of untreated diabetes insipidus due to ADH deficiency. Effective treatment reduces urine output by enhancing renal water reabsorption, so high urine output indicates persistent disease activity, not a successful response to therapy.
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