BCEN CFRN Practice Question

The most likely cause of excessive bleeding from the catheter site in a patient with liver cirrhosis is a coagulopathy caused by reduced production of clotting factors, which are synthesized in the liver. Fresh frozen plasma (FFP) can help replace these missing clotting factors. Vitamin K may be useful in some coagulopathies but often not sufficient in the context of advanced liver disease. Platelet transfusion would be appropriate if thrombocytopenia (low platelet count) is confirmed, but it does not address clotting factors. Administering more fluids without correcting the coagulopathy will not stop the bleeding.