A nurse is providing postoperative care to a client who lost 800 mL of blood during surgery. The client's blood pressure has been steadily decreasing over the past 2 hr. Which of the following categories of shock should the nurse recognize is occurring?
Hypovolemic shock
Septic shock
Obstructive shock
Neurogenic shock
The Correct Answer is A
A. Hypovolemic shock: Hypovolemic shock occurs due to a significant decrease in circulating blood volume, leading to inadequate tissue perfusion. Blood loss, such as that experienced by the client in the scenario, is a common cause of hypovolemic shock. The decrease in blood pressure observed over time is consistent with the compensatory mechanisms of hypovolemic shock, where the body attempts to maintain perfusion to vital organs despite decreased blood volume.
B. Septic shock: Septic shock results from a systemic inflammatory response to infection, leading to vasodilation, increased capillary permeability, and maldistribution of blood flow. While infection can lead to hypovolemia in some cases, the scenario does not provide evidence of infection or systemic inflammatory response as the cause of shock.
C. Obstructive shock: Obstructive shock occurs when there is obstruction to blood flow within the cardiovascular system, such as in cases of pulmonary embolism, cardiac tamponade, or tension pneumothorax. There is no evidence in the scenario to suggest an obstruction to blood flow as the cause of the client's shock.
D. Neurogenic shock: Neurogenic shock results from loss of sympathetic tone leading to vasodilation and relative hypovolemia. It is often associated with spinal cord injury or severe head injury. While neurogenic shock can lead to hypotension, the scenario does not indicate any neurological injury or insult as the cause of the client's shock.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Tonometer intraocular pressure reading 8 mm Hg (Option A): A low intraocular pressure reading may indicate a detached retina. In a detached retina, the vitreous humor (gel-like substance in the eye) may leak into the space behind the retina, causing a decrease in intraocular pressure. However, it's important to note that intraocular pressure alone cannot definitively diagnose a detached retina, and further diagnostic tests, such as a dilated eye examination or retinal imaging, would be needed for confirmation.
Smooth retina edges identified on slit-lamp biomicroscope examination (Option B): In the case of a detached retina, the edges of the retina may appear irregular or undulating rather than smooth. This irregularity is often observed during a dilated eye examination rather than with a slit-lamp biomicroscope.
Visual acuity of 20/20 using the Snellen eye chart (Option C): Visual acuity may be affected in a detached retina, depending on the extent and location of the detachment. However, visual acuity alone cannot confirm a detached retina, as other factors such as refractive errors or cataracts can also affect visual acuity.
Lens and cornea appear intact during ophthalmoscope exam (Option D): While a detached retina may be visualized during an ophthalmoscope examination as a gray or whitish area behind the lens, the appearance of the lens and cornea being intact does not definitively diagnose a detached retina. A thorough dilated eye examination by an ophthalmologist is necessary for accurate diagnosis.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. A client who has coronary artery disease (CAD) and Bell's palsy: Bell's palsy, a condition characterized by sudden, temporary weakness or paralysis of the facial muscles, does not directly increase the risk of complications following CABG surgery. While Bell's palsy may affect facial muscle function, it typically does not impact respiratory function or cardiovascular stability during surgery.
B. A client who has coronary artery disease (CAD) and chronic diverticulitis: Chronic diverticulitis, inflammation or infection of the diverticula in the colon, is not directly related to increased risk for complications following CABG surgery. While diverticulitis may require medical management and dietary modifications, it does not typically affect cardiovascular or respiratory function during surgery.
C. A client who has coronary artery disease (CAD) and chronic allergies: Chronic allergies, while they may cause respiratory symptoms such as nasal congestion or rhinitis, are not typically associated with increased risk for complications following CABG surgery. Allergies alone are unlikely to significantly impact cardiovascular stability or respiratory function during surgery compared to conditions such as COPD.
D. A client who has coronary artery disease (CAD) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): A client with CAD and COPD is at the highest risk for complications following coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. COPD is a chronic respiratory condition characterized by airflow limitation and increased airway resistance, often accompanied by emphysema and chronic bronchitis. These respiratory impairments can significantly impact the client's ability to tolerate anesthesia, mechanical ventilation, and postoperative respiratory function. COPD increases the risk of complications such as atelectasis, pneumonia, exacerbation of COPD, and respiratory failure following CABG surgery.
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