Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) Practice Test

In the context of managing bleeding associated with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), fresh frozen plasma is the most appropriate treatment option. DIC is a complex disorder characterized by the systemic activation of coagulation pathways leading to the formation of blood clots throughout the small vessels and subsequent bleeding due to the consumption of clotting factors and platelets.

Fresh frozen plasma contains all the clotting factors needed for the coagulation cascade and can effectively replenish those that have been consumed in DIC. Administration of fresh frozen plasma helps to restore the balance between bleeding and clotting by providing functional coagulation factors, thus addressing the underlying coagulopathy and helping to control bleeding.

While heparin may play a role in certain cases of DIC when thrombosis is predominant, it is not the first-line treatment for bleeding specifically. Aspirin is contraindicated in patients with DIC due to its antiplatelet effects, which could exacerbate bleeding. Vitamin K is primarily used for managing bleeding due to vitamin K deficiency or certain anticoagulant overdoses but does not directly address the multifactorial bleeding issues in DIC without other supportive measures.

In summary, fresh frozen plasma directly addresses the coagulopathy seen in DIC and is critical for