What finding should a nurse expect when assessing a client with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)?

In disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), the underlying pathology involves both excessive coagulation and subsequent bleeding. This condition is characterized by the widespread activation of the clotting cascade, leading to the formation of small blood clots throughout the body's microcirculation. As a result, platelets and clotting factors become consumed at an accelerated rate, resulting in a paradoxical state of thrombosis (formation of clots) and bleeding due to the depletion of these components.

Patients with DIC may present with a mix of symptoms including petechiae, ecchymosis, and bleeding from various sites due to the consumption of platelets and clotting factors. The balance between thrombosis and hemorrhage is a hallmark feature of DIC, making the expectation of both excessive thrombosis and bleeding accurate.

The other findings mentioned are not typical of DIC. For instance, in DIC, there is often a decrease in platelet production due to consumption rather than a progressive increase. Fluid retention related to sodium levels isn't a direct feature of DIC, and there is a context of decreased levels of clotting factors rather than an increase, as the clotting factors are consumed during the coagulation process. Thus, the complexity of DIC presents a