Final answer:
To diagnose disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) in a patient with end-stage liver disease, all of the following tests are relevant: increased PT/INR, decreased platelet count, and elevated D-dimer levels.
Step-by-step explanation:
To diagnose disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) in a patient with end-stage liver disease, a combination of laboratory tests is used, including:
- Increased PT/INR (Prothrombin Time/International Normalized Ratio)
- Decreased platelet count
- Elevated D-dimer
Increased PT/INR indicates a longer than usual time for blood to clot, due to the liver's role in producing coagulation factors. A decreased platelet count, or thrombocytopenia, indicates an insufficient number of platelets which can prevent proper clot formation. An elevated D-dimer level suggests an active process of clot breakdown, which is a key feature of DIC. Therefore, the correct answer is d) All of the above, as each of these findings can be part of the diagnostic criteria for DIC in the context of liver disease.