A nurse in an urgent care center is assessing a client who reports a sudden onset of irregular palpitations, fatigue, and dizziness. The nurse finds a rapid and irregular heart rate with a significant pulse deficit. Which of the following dysrhythmias should the nurse expect to find on the ECG?

Choice A Reason: This is incorrect. Widening pulse pressure is not a sign of hypovolemic shock, but rather of increased intracranial pressure or aortic regurgitation. Hypovolemic shock causes narrowing pulse pressure due to decreased stroke volume and increased peripheral resistance.

Choice B Reason: This is correct. Increased heart rate is a sign of hypovolemic shock, as the body tries to compensate for the decreased blood volume and cardiac output by increasing the heart rate and contractility.

Choice C Reason: This is incorrect. Increased deep tendon reflexes are not a sign of hypovolemic shock, but rather of hyperreflexia or tetany. Hypovolemic shock causes decreased deep tendon reflexes due to reduced perfusion and oxygenation of the muscles and nerves.

Choice D Reason: This is incorrect. Pulse oximetry 96% is not a sign of hypovolemic shock, but rather of normal oxygen saturation. Hypovolemic shock causes decreased pulse oximetry due to hypoxia and impaired gas exchange.

Choice A: Ask the client to shrug his shoulders against passive resistance is not an assessment that will give the nurse information about the function of cranial nerve III. This assessment will test the function of cranial nerve XI, which is the accessory nerve. The accessory nerve innervates the trapezius and sternocleidomastoid muscles, which are involved in shoulder and neck movements.

Choice B: Instruct the client to look up and down without moving his head is an assessment that will give the nurse information about the function of cranial nerve III. Cranial nerve III is the oculomotor nerve, which innervates four of the six extraocular muscles that control eye movements. The oculomotor nerve also controls pupil size and lens shape. By instructing the client to look up and down without moving his head, the nurse can assess the ability of the oculomotor nerve to move the eyes vertically and adjust to different distances.

Choice C: Observe the client's ability to smile and frown is not an assessment that will give the nurse information about the function of cranial nerve III. This assessment will test the function of cranial nerve VII, which is the facial nerve. The facial nerve innervates the muscles of facial expression, which are involved in smiling, frowning, blinking, and other facial movements.

Choice D: Have the client stand with his eyes closed and touch his nose is not an assessment that will give the nurse information about the function of cranial nerve III. This assessment will test the function of cranial nerve VIII, which is the vestibulocochlear nerve. The vestibulocochlear nerve innervates the inner ear and is responsible for hearing and balance. By having the client stand with his eyes closed and touch his nose, the nurse can assess the ability of the vestibulocochlear nerve to maintain equilibrium and coordination.