Question

apply a pressure dressing over the site. a nurse is caring for a client who has disseminated intravascular coagulation (dic). which of the following laboratory values is most useful to evaluate the intrinsic clotting cascade? a inr b mcv c ptt d iron

Explanation:

• INR (International Normalized Ratio): Evaluates the extrinsic clotting cascade, not the intrinsic one.
• MCV (Mean Corpuscular Volume): Measures the average volume of red blood cells and is related to anemia assessment, not clotting cascades.
• PTT (Partial Thromboplastin Time): Specifically assesses the intrinsic clotting cascade. It measures the time it takes for blood to clot when certain substances (activators of the intrinsic pathway) are added to the plasma.
• Iron: Levels relate to iron - deficiency anemia or iron - overload conditions, not clotting function.

Answer:

C. PTT