Question

In caring for an immediate postpartum client, you note petechiae and oozing from her IV site. You would monitor her closely for the clotting disorder:

a. Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)
b. Amniotic fluid embolism (AFE)
c. Hemorrhage
d. HELLP syndrome

Answer 1

Postpartum petechiae and IV site oozing should prompt monitoring for Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC), a serious clotting disorder characterized by inadequate production of clotting factors and risk of severe bleeding.

Step-by-step explanation:

If you observe petechiae and oozing from an IV site in a postpartum client, you must monitor closely for signs of Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC). This clotting disorder is characterized by inadequate production of clotting factors which leads to uncontrolled bleeding and can be fatal if not treated promptly. DIC can manifest in postpartum clients as a complication of childbirth and presents with not just petechiae and oozing from IV sites, but may also involve fever, hypotension, and, in severe cases, organ failure. It is a complex disorder that results in both excessive clotting and bleeding due to overconsumption of clotting factors and platelets.