Inpatient Obstetric Nurse (NCC) Practice Exam

The D-dimer test is utilized to help diagnose disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) due to its ability to indicate the presence of abnormal clotting activity in the body. In DIC, there is widespread activation of the clotting cascade, leading to the formation of small blood clots throughout the body. As these clots form, fibrin – a protein involved in blood clotting – is broken down, resulting in elevated levels of D-dimer, which are fragments produced when a blood clot dissolves.

Thus, when assessing for DIC, an elevated D-dimer level suggests increased fibrinolytic activity and is a significant marker that raises suspicion for the condition. While the other tests listed may provide information on coagulation status or blood counts, they are more general and do not specifically reflect the presence of DIC as effectively as the D-dimer test does. In summary, D-dimer is the most relevant diagnostic test for identifying DIC, making it the correct answer in this context.