A nurse is assessing a patient and suspects the patient is experiencing disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). Which physical findings would the nurse expect?

Rationale: A. Bradypnea: Bradypnea is not commonly associated with DIC. Respiratory rate may increase due to compensatory mechanisms from hypoxia or acidosis secondary to microvascular thrombosis, but slow breathing is not an expected finding. B. Hypertension: DIC often leads to hypotension rather than hypertension due to systemic bleeding, fluid shifts, and potential shock. Hypertension is not a typical manifestation of this coagulopathy. C. Bradycardia: Heart rate in DIC is usually elevated (tachycardia) as a compensatory response to bleeding, hypovolemia, or shock. Bradycardia is not a characteristic finding. D. Epistaxis: Epistaxis (nosebleeds) is a classic manifestation of DIC due to widespread consumption of platelets and clotting factors, leading to bleeding from mucous membranes, puncture sites, and other superficial areas. It reflects the hemorrhagic phase of this disorder.