NURS530 Week 4 Presentation
Your presentation must: be 4-7 minutes long, can use PowerPoint slides
TOPIC: discuss the pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, evaluation, and treatment advances of: Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation.
Explain the processes or concepts in your own words using references to support your explanations.
Get custom essay samples and course-specific study resources via course hero homework for you service – Include all necessary physiology and pathophysiology in your explanation.
Use detailed explanations with master’s level terminology to teach or explain. Your classmates and professional colleagues are your audience.
Get custom essay samples and course-specific study resources via course hero homework for you service – Include at least one type of visual aid in your presentation, such as PowerPoint slides, diagrams, whiteboard use, etc.
Use Ace homework tutors – APA format to style your visual aids and cite your sources.
Cite at least two references with on-screen citations.
Get custom essay samples and course-specific study resources via course hero homework for you service – Include a reference list in your visual aid or at the end of your slide set.
Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation:
Slide 1:
Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC)
Slide 2:
Pathophysiology
DIC is a condition where small blood clots form throughout the body, potentially blocking small blood vessels (MedlinePlus, 2022). It occurs as a result of excessive activation of the coagulation pathway. There are two main pathways involved in coagulation – the intrinsic and extrinsic pathways. In DIC, both pathways are activated which leads to the formation of microthrombi (small clots) in the small blood vessels throughout the body (Medscape, 2022).
This excessive activation of coagulation is usually triggered by an underlying condition such as sepsis, trauma, obstetric complications, or cancer. In sepsis specifically, bacterial toxins and inflammatory cytokines activate the coagulation cascade (Levi & Schultz, 2017). The microthrombi formed can obstruct blood flow to organs like the liver, kidneys, heart and lungs. Additionally, with so much coagulation occurring, there are not enough clotting factors left to prevent bleeding (MedlinePlus, 2022).
Slide 3:
Clinical Manifestations
The clinical manifestations of DIC depend on the underlying cause and extent of coagulation activation. Common signs and symptoms include abnormal bleeding, easy bruising of the skin, or bleeding from the gums or nose. Patients may also experience abnormal menstrual bleeding. Internally, bleeding can occur in organs like the brain, resulting in confusion or changes in mental status. Other signs include jaundice, abdominal pain, and organ failure of the liver, kidneys, lungs etc. due to reduced blood flow and oxygen delivery (MedlinePlus, 2022).
Platelet count, prothrombin time, partial thromboplastin time and fibrinogen levels will be abnormal in a coagulopathy panel, reflecting the simultaneous thrombin formation and consumption seen in DIC (Levi & Schultz, 2017).
Slide 4:
Evaluation and Diagnosis
Diagnosis of DIC involves evaluating clinical signs/symptoms, lab tests, and identifying the underlying cause. The International Society of Thrombosis and Haemostasis has established diagnostic criteria involving platelet count, prothrombin time, fibrinogen levels and the presence of fibrin degradation products (Levi & Schultz, 2017).
Additional tests that may be done include complete blood count, coagulation panel, D-dimer, fibrinogen, thrombin time. Imaging tests like CT, MRI or ultrasound can help identify bleeding or clots in organs. Bone marrow biopsy may be required to diagnose underlying conditions like leukemia (MedlinePlus, 2022).
Slide 5:
Treatment Advances
Treatment of DIC involves managing the underlying condition, preventing further coagulation, and treating bleeding and organ dysfunction. Advancements have been made in treating sepsis-induced DIC with activated protein C concentrates and antithrombin supplementation (Levi & Schultz, 2017). Transfusion of platelets, fresh frozen plasma or cryoprecipitate may be given to replace clotting factors and control bleeding. Newer medications like recombinant factor VIIa are being studied (MedlinePlus, 2022).
Ultimately, early diagnosis and treatment of the triggering condition is key. With improved critical care and new targeted therapies, survival rates have increased over the past few decades (Levi & Schultz, 2017).
Slide 6:
References
Levi, M., & Schultz, M. (2017). Disseminated intravascular coagulation. Thrombosis and haemostasis, 117(04), 599–606. https://doi.org/10.1160/TH16-11-0890
MedlinePlus. (2022). Disseminated intravascular coagulation. U.S National Library of Medicine. https://medlineplus.gov/disseminatedintravascularcoagulation.html
Medscape. (2022). Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC). https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/204912-overview#a6
