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A client has been diagnosed with Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC) and transferred to the medical intensive care unit (ICU) subsequent to an acute bleeding episode. In the ICU, continuous Heparin drip therapy is initiated. Which of the following assessment findings indicates a positive response to Heparin therapy?
Suggested Answer: B
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Effective Heparin therapy should stop the process of intravascular coagulation and result in increased
availability of fibrinogen. Heparin administration interferes with thrombin-induced conversion of fibrinogen to
fibrin. Bleeding should cease due to the increased availability of platelets and coagulation factors.Physiological
Adaptation
15 comments · newest first
SH
Shoshana
1 month ago
I see your point. Decreased bleeding makes sense.
CO
Corinne
1 month ago
Right, we need to focus on immediate safety first.
AM
Amie
1 month ago
True, but bleeding control is more critical in DIC.
SH
Shoshana
2 months ago
But what about increased platelet count? That could help too.
CO
Corinne
2 months ago
Agreed, less bleeding shows the therapy is working.
AM
Amie
2 months ago
I think decreased bleeding is the best indicator.
AN
Antonio
2 months ago
Surprised that DIC can improve with Heparin!
SH
Sherita
2 months ago
I think it's more about the bleeding reduction.
BE
Bernadine
2 months ago
Wait, can increased platelet count also be a sign?
BE
Bernardine
3 months ago
Totally agree, decreased bleeding is key!
CO
Colene
3 months ago
A positive response would be decreased bleeding, right?
AL
Alexia
3 months ago
I believe decreased fibrin split products is a key indicator of effective Heparin therapy, but I need to double-check that with my notes.
JA
Janey
3 months ago
I feel like increased platelet count could be a sign of improvement, but I’m not entirely confident about that in the context of DIC.
PE
Penney
3 months ago
I think we practiced a question similar to this, and I recall that decreased bleeding might be a good indicator of response to Heparin.
KR
Kristel
4 months ago
I remember we discussed that in DIC, the goal of Heparin is to manage clotting and bleeding, but I'm not sure which specific lab values indicate improvement.