A patient who has neurogenic shock is receiving a dobutamine infusion through a right forearm IV. Which assessment finding obtained by the nurse indicates a need for immediate action?

The patient's IV infusion site is cool and pale.

The patient's extremities are warm and dry.

The patient's urine output is 28 ml, over the past hour.

The patient's heart rate is 58 beats/min.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

A. In a patient receiving a dobutamine infusion, which is a vasopressor medication used to increase cardiac output, a cool and pale IV infusion site could indicate inadequate perfusion despite treatment. This finding requires immediate action to assess the patient's hemodynamic status and ensure adequate tissue perfusion.

B. Warm and dry extremities are typically indicative of adequate tissue perfusion. In neurogenic shock, vasodilation can lead to warm extremities due to decreased systemic vascular resistance. While this finding may be expected in neurogenic shock, it does not necessarily indicate a need for immediate action if other parameters are stable.

C. Decreased urine output can be indicative of inadequate renal perfusion and impaired kidney function. In a patient with neurogenic shock, maintaining adequate renal perfusion is crucial to prevent acute kidney injury. While decreased urine output warrants close monitoring and intervention, it may not require immediate action unless other signs of worsening perfusion are present.

D. A heart rate of 58 beats/min may be within the normal range for some patients, especially those who are receiving dobutamine, which can have a chronotropic effect. However, in the context of neurogenic shock, bradycardia may indicate a compensatory response to hypotension and decreased tissue perfusion. While bradycardia alone may not always require immediate action, it should prompt further assessment of the patient's hemodynamic status and response to treatment.

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

D. A pulmonary artery catheter is used to monitor hemodynamic status. It provides valuable information about cardiac function, preload, afterload, and cardiac output. By measuring parameters such as pulmonary artery pressure, pulmonary artery wedge pressure, and central venous pressure, a pulmonary artery catheter helps assess the effectiveness of cardiac function and guide management in critically ill patients, especially those with conditions such as heart failure, shock, or pulmonary hypertension.

A. A pulmonary artery catheter, also known as a Swan-Ganz catheter, is not used to monitor intracranial pressure. Instead, it is primarily used to assess hemodynamic status and cardiac function by measuring parameters such as pulmonary artery pressure, pulmonary artery wedge pressure, central venous pressure, and cardiac output.

B. A pulmonary artery catheter is not used to directly monitor renal function. While changes in hemodynamic status can impact renal perfusion and function, the primary purpose of a pulmonary artery catheter is to assess cardiac function and hemodynamics, rather than renal function.

C. A pulmonary artery catheter is not used to monitor spinal cord perfusion. Although alterations in hemodynamic status can affect spinal cord perfusion indirectly, the main purpose of a pulmonary artery catheter is to evaluate cardiac function and hemodynamics.

A. Metabolic acidosis B. Respiratory acidosis C. Respiratory alkalosis D. Metabolic alkalosis

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

B. A client who is postoperative with shallow respirations at a rate of 9/min is likely not adequately eliminating carbon dioxide from their body due to hypoventilation. This retention of carbon dioxide can lead to an increase in the partial pressure of CO2 in the blood, causing an acidotic state.

A. Metabolic acidosis results from an accumulation of acids in the body or a loss of bicarbonate. Hypoventilation leading to respiratory acidosis does not directly cause metabolic acidosis.

C. Respiratory alkalosis occurs when there is excessive elimination of CO2 from the body, leading to decreased arterial carbon dioxide levels (hypocapnia) and an increase in pH. Shallow respirations and decreased respiratory rate are more consistent with hypoventilation and respiratory acidosis rather than hyperventilation and respiratory alkalosis.

D. Metabolic alkalosis results from excessive loss of acids or increased bicarbonate levels in the body. Hypoventilation leading to respiratory acidosis does not directly cause metabolic alkalosis.

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A patient who has neurogenic shock is receiving a dobutamine infusion through a right forearm IV. Which assessment finding obtained by the nurse indicates a need for immediate action?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

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Correct Answer is B

Explanation

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