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The client is admitted to the intensive care unit following a coronary artery bypass graft. The nurse checks the vital signs and notes a heart rate of 120 beats per minute, blood pressure of 70/40, and respiration of 32 breaths per minute. The nurse suspects hypovolemic shock. Which assessment tools would contribute to a diagnosis of hypovolemic shock?

  • A. Hemoglobin of 5 g
  • B. Central venous pressure of 2 mm of mercury
  • C. Pulmonary artery wedge pressure of 16 mm of mercury
  • D. Hematocrit of 22%
  • E. Troponin (T 1) level of 4 mcg/L
Correct Answer: A, B, D

Rationale: Hypovolemic shock involves low blood volume, reflected by low hemoglobin (5 g, A), low central venous pressure (2 mmHg, B), and low hematocrit (22%, D). Normal pulmonary artery wedge pressure (16 mmHg, C) suggests no left heart failure. Elevated troponin (E) indicates myocardial damage, not volume status.