Chapter 11: Disseminated Intravascular Coagulopathy

Question 1

Disseminated Intravascular Coagulopathy (DIC)

Answer 1

a hematological disorder characterized by a pathological form of clotting that is diffuse and consumes large amounts of clotting factors
-DIC causes widespread external or internal bleeding or both
-consumptive coagulopathy that results in depletion of the platelets and clotting factors
>where blood clots are excessively formed in the body’s blood vessels.
>a rare but serious condition that causes abnormal blood clotting throughout the body’s blood vessels.

Question 2

Common causes of DIC

Answer 2

• excessive blood loss with inadequate blood component replacement
• placental abruption
• amniotic fluid embolism
• severe preeclampsia/ HELLP syndrome

Question 3

Nursing Care

Answer 3

• continuous assessment for signs of bleeding (e.g. petechiae, oozing from injection sites, and hematuria (blood in urine))
• use of an indwelling catheter to monitor urinary output as DIC can cause renal failure
• vital signs frequently
• fetal assessments frequently
• patient maintained in a side-lying tilt to enhance blood flow to the uterus
• oxygen may be administered via facemask at 8 to 10 L/min
• blood and blood products administered according to orders
• patient and family emotionally supported

Question 4

Symptoms

Answer 4

• Bleeding from different parts of the body such as the mouth and nose
• Blood clots
• Decreased blood pressure
• Getting bruised easily
• Vaginal or rectal bleeding
• Petechiae (a small red or purple spot on the skin or conjunctiva, caused by a minor bleed from broken capillary blood vessels)