Which laboratory finding would indicate development of disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (DIC) in a pregnant client diagnosed with sepsis?

A positive result on the d-dimer study is indicative of disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (DIC) in a pregnant client diagnosed with sepsis. D-dimer is a fibrin degradation product that is elevated in conditions where there is increased clot formation and breakdown, such as in DIC.

In the context of sepsis, DIC can develop as a complication, and the presence of elevated d-dimer levels suggests that there is ongoing clot formation and subsequent fibrinolysis. This aligns with the pathophysiology of DIC, where widespread clotting occurs, leading to consumption of clotting factors and ultimately resulting in both thrombosis and increased levels of fibrin degradation products.

In contrast, other findings in DIC would typically include a decreased platelet count and prolonged clotting times (such as prothrombin time), rather than a shortened prothrombin time or increased platelet count, as DIC involves consumption of platelets and clotting factors. Hence, a positive d-dimer result serves as a significant laboratory marker indicating the presence of DIC, particularly in the context of sepsis in a pregnant patient.