The critical care nurse cares for a client diagnosed with septic shock. Which observation MOST concerns the nurse?

Serum glucose 120 mg/dL.

White cell count 15,000/mm³.

Skin is warm, dry, and flushed.

Bleeding noted around venipuncture site.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

Choice A reason: Serum glucose of 120 mg/dL is normal and not concerning in septic shock, where coagulopathy is critical. Bleeding at the venipuncture site suggests DIC, making this incorrect, as it’s less urgent than the nurse’s priority of addressing potential bleeding complications.

Choice B reason: A white cell count of 15,000/mm³ is expected in septic shock due to infection. Bleeding indicates coagulopathy, a severe complication, making this incorrect, as it’s a typical finding compared to the nurse’s concern for life-threatening bleeding in the client.

Choice C reason: Warm, dry, flushed skin is common in early septic shock’s hyperdynamic phase. Bleeding suggests disseminated intravascular coagulation, making this incorrect, as it’s less concerning than the nurse’s priority of addressing a potential coagulopathy in the septic shock client.

Choice D reason: Bleeding around the venipuncture site in septic shock suggests disseminated intravascular coagulation, a life-threatening complication. This aligns with critical care priorities, making it the correct observation most concerning to the nurse, requiring immediate intervention to address coagulopathy.

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A reason: Seizure precautions are relevant but secondary to establishing IV access for antihypertensive administration in hypertensive crisis. Starting an IV enables immediate treatment, making this incorrect, as it delays the critical intervention needed to lower the client’s dangerously high blood pressure.

Choice B reason: Instructing to report vision changes monitors complications but doesn’t address the urgent need to lower blood pressure. IV access facilitates medication delivery, making this incorrect, as it postpones the primary action for managing the client’s hypertensive crisis effectively.

Choice C reason: Hypertensive crisis can cause severe headache, risk for stroke, pulmonary edema, and difficulty breathing. Elevating the HOB improves cerebral perfusion, reduces intracranial pressure, and eases breathing. This is an immediate, noninvasive, airway/circulation-supportive intervention.

Choice D reason: Needed for IV antihypertensive administration, but initial safety and circulation support (C) takes priority before establishing access.

A. Stoma is beefy red and shiny. B. Purple discoloration of the stoma. C. Skin excoriation around the stoma. D. Semiformed stool noted in the ostomy pouch.

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A reason: A beefy red, shiny stoma is normal, indicating healthy tissue perfusion. Purple discoloration suggests ischemia, making this incorrect, as it doesn’t require immediate notification compared to the nurse’s priority of reporting a potentially life-threatening stoma complication to the provider.

Choice B reason: Purple discoloration of the stoma indicates potential ischemia or necrosis, a serious complication requiring immediate provider notification. This aligns with colostomy care priorities, making it the correct observation for the nurse to report promptly to prevent further tissue damage or obstruction.

Choice C reason: Skin excoriation around the stoma is concerning but less urgent than purple discoloration, which signals ischemia. This is incorrect, as it can be managed with barrier creams, unlike the nurse’s priority of addressing a critical stoma issue requiring immediate intervention.

Choice D reason: Semiformed stool in the ostomy pouch is expected post-colostomy and not alarming. Purple discoloration is critical, making this incorrect, as it’s a normal finding compared to the nurse’s need to notify the provider about a potentially ischemic stoma.

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The critical care nurse cares for a client diagnosed with septic shock. Which observation MOST concerns the nurse?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

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