A nurse is assisting with the care of a client who has septic shock and is at risk for disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). Which of the following nursing statements indicates an understanding of the condition?

A. "DIC is controllable with lifelong heparin usage." is incorrect because DIC is not a condition managed with lifelong anticoagulation. Heparin may be used in select cases to slow clotting, but treatment primarily focuses on addressing the underlying cause, such as infection or trauma. Lifelong heparin is not standard therapy. B. "DIC is a genetic disorder involving vitamin K deficiency." is incorrect because DIC is an acquired condition, not genetic, and is not caused by vitamin K deficiency. Vitamin K deficiency can cause bleeding disorders, but it is unrelated to the systemic coagulation abnormalities seen in DIC. C. "DIC is characterized by an elevated platelet count." is incorrect because DIC causes consumption of platelets due to widespread clot formation, leading to thrombocytopenia (low platelet count), not an elevation. D. "DIC is caused by abnormal coagulation involving fibrinogen." is correct because DIC is a complex disorder in which widespread activation of the coagulation cascade leads to the formation of fibrin clots throughout small blood vessels. This consumes clotting factors, including fibrinogen, and platelets, resulting in both clotting and bleeding tendencies. Laboratory findings often show decreased fibrinogen, elevated D-dimer, and prolonged PT and aPTT.