Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Practice Exam

The primary therapy for disseminated intravascular coagulation consists of?

1. Heparin administration

2. Infusion of fresh frozen plasma

3. Treatment of the underlying disorder

4. Platelet transfusion

The correct answer is: Treatment of the underlying disorder

The primary therapy for disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) focuses on treating the underlying disorder that is triggering the coagulation cascade and subsequent bleeding or clotting abnormalities. DIC is often a secondary condition that arises from various precipitating factors such as sepsis, trauma, obstetric complications, or malignancies. By identifying and managing the underlying cause, clinicians can effectively halt the ongoing pathological process of DIC, which, in turn, can prevent further complications and improve patient outcomes. While options involving heparin, fresh frozen plasma, and platelet transfusions may be appropriate in specific scenarios or supportive measures, they do not address the fundamental issue at the root of DIC. For instance, using heparin can sometimes be considered in cases of circulating microclots, but it is not a definitive treatment. Fresh frozen plasma is utilized to replace clotting factors but does not resolve the underlying pathology. Platelet transfusions can be helpful to manage severe thrombocytopenia but will not correct the DIC itself unless the root cause is treated. Thus, the mainstay of managing DIC effectively requires intervention that targets and resolves the underlying disorder.