Which findings indicate a depletion of clotting factors in a client with DIC?

In the context of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), a depletion of clotting factors often leads to thrombocytopenia, which is characterized by a reduced platelet count. The finding of a platelet count of 100,000/mm³ indicates thrombocytopenia, which is consistent with DIC since the condition leads to widespread clotting and subsequent consumption of both platelets and clotting factors.

In DIC, the overactivation of the coagulation cascade results in the formation of clots throughout the vasculature, and as these clots consume platelets and clotting factors, the levels of these components drop significantly. Therefore, a platelet count at or below 100,000/mm³ is a clear indicator of the consumption and depletion of clotting factors, aligning with the pathological processes of DIC.

Other findings related to DIC could include low levels of fibrinogen, high levels of fibrin degradation products, and elevated D-dimer levels, but these do not directly indicate a depletion of clotting factors on their own. Instead, they represent the extent of coagulation activation and breakdown that can occur in these patients. The platelet count of 100,000/mm³ is a direct indicator of the consumption of clot