Nokea
A client is in a driving accident creating a spinal cord injury. The nurse caring for a client realizes that the client is at risk for which type of shock?
- A. Anaphylactic
- B. Neurogenic
- C. Septic
- D. Obstructive
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Neurogenic shock results from an insult to the vasomotor center of the medulla or to the peripheral nerves that extend from the spinal cord to the blood vessels. The tone of the sympathetic nervous system is impaired, resulting in deceased arterial vascular resistance, vasodilation, and hypotension. Anaphylactic shock has vasodilation also as a key characteristic, along with increased capillary permeability, swelling of the airway, hives, and itching. Septic shock is associated with overwhelming bacterial infections. Obstructive shock is when there is an interference of blood flow in and out of the heart.
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The nurse is caring for a motor vehicle accident client who is unresponsive on arrival to the emergency department. The client has numerous fractures, internal abdominal injuries, and large lacerations on the head and torso. The family arrives and seeks update on the client's condition. A family member asks, 'What causes the body to go into shock?' Given the client's condition, which statement is most correct?
- A. The client is in shock because the blood volume has decreased in the system.'
- B. The client is in shock because the heart is unable to circulate the body fluids.'
- C. The client is in shock because your loved one is not responding and brain dead.'
- D. The client is in shock because all peripheral blood vessels have massively dilated.'
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Shock is a life-threatening condition that occurs when arterial blood flow and oxygen delivery to tissues and cells are inadequate. Hypovolemic shock, where the volume of extracellular fluid is significantly diminished due to the loss of or reduced blood or plasma, frequently occurs with accidents.
The nurse is caring for a critically ill client. Which of the following is the nurse correct to identify as a positive effect of catecholamine release during the compensation stage of shock?
- A. Decreased white blood cell count
- B. Increase in arterial oxygenation
- C. Decreased depressive symptoms
- D. Regulation of sodium and potassium
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Catecholamines are neurotransmitters that stimulate responses via the sympathetic nervous system. Catecholamine release increases heart rate and myocardial contraction as well as bronchial dilation, improving the efficient exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide. They do not decrease WBCs or decrease the depressive symptoms. They do not regulate sodium and potassium.
Which compensatory mechanism, during the first stage of shock, does the nurse identify as responsible for stabilization of fluid balance?
- A. Catecholamines
- B. Corticosteroid hormones
- C. Renin-angiotensin
- D. Aldosterone
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Corticosteroids, including mineral corticoids such as aldosterone, conserve sodium and promote potassium excretion. This plays an active role in controlling sodium and water balance. Catecholamines impact the sympathetic nervous system. The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system impacts blood volume.
The nurse is obtaining physician orders which include a pulse pressure. The nurse is correct to report which of the following?
- A. The difference between an apical and radial pulse
- B. The difference between an upper extremity and lower extremity blood pressure
- C. The difference between the systolic and diastolic pressure
- D. The difference between the arterial and venous blood pressure
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The nurse would report the difference between the systolic blood pressure number and the diastolic blood pressure number as the pulse pressure.
The community health nurse finds the client collapsed outdoors. The nurse assesses that the client is shallow breathing and has a weak pulse. Emergency medical services (EMS) is notified by the neighbor. Which nursing action is helpful while waiting for the ambulance?
- A. Place a cool compress on head.
- B. Elevate the legs higher than the heart.
- C. Shake the client to arouse.
- D. Cover the client with a blanket.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The client has shallow respiration and a weak pulse implying limited circulation and gas exchange. Most helpful would be to elevate the legs higher than the heart to promote blood perfusion to the heart, lungs, and brain. A cool compress would not be helpful nor would shaking the client to arouse. A client can be covered with a blanket, but this is not the most helpful.