Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 76%
Simulated
Passage / Scenario
A nurse is caring for a child who has disseminated intravascular coagulation.Which of the following laboratory findings should the nurse expect?
Correct answer
D
Rationale
The correct answer is D: Decreased platelet count. In patients with leukemia, especially acute myeloid leukemia (AML), there is often bone marrow infiltration leading to a decrease in normal blood cell production, including platelets. This can result in thrombocytopenia, leading to a decreased platelet count. A decreased prothrombin time (choice A) would not be expected as it indicates prolonged clotting time and is typically seen in conditions like liver disease. An increased Hgb level (choice B) and increased RBC count (choice C) are not typically associated with leukemia, as leukemias primarily affect white blood cells. Therefore, these choices are incorrect in this context.