Nokea
The nurse is caring for a patient who is exhibiting signs and symptoms of hypovolemic shock following injuries suffered in a motor vehicle accident. The nurse anticipates that the physician will promptly order the administration of a crystalloid IV solution to restore intravascular volume. In addition to normal saline, which crystalloid fluid is commonly used to treat hypovolemic shock?
- A. Lactated Ringers
- B. Albumin
- C. Dextran
- D. 3% NaCl
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Crystalloids are electrolyte solutions used for the treatment of hypovolemic shock. Lactated Ringers and0.9\%$ sodium chloride are isotonic crystalloid fluids commonly used to manage hypovolemic shock. Dextran and albumin are colloids, but Dextran, even as a colloid, is not indicated for the treatment of hypovolemic shock.3\% \mathrm{NaCl}$ is a hypertonic solution and is not isotonic.
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The ICU nurse caring for a patient in shock is administering vasoactive medications as per orders. The nurse should know that vasoactive medications should be administered in what way?
- A. Through a central venous line
- B. By a gravity infusion IV set
- C. By IV push for rapid onset of action
- D. Mixed with parenteral feedings to balance osmosis
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Whenever possible, vasoactive medications should be administered through a central venous line because infiltration and extravasation of some vasoactive medications can cause tissue necrosis and sloughing. An IV pump or controller must be used to ensure that the medications are delivered safely and accurately. They are never mixed with parenteral nutrition.
An 11-year-old boy has been brought to the ED by his teacher, who reports that the boy may be having a really bad allergic reaction to peanuts after trading lunches with a peer. The triage nurses rapid assessment reveals the presence of respiratory and cardiac arrest. What interventions should the nurse prioritize?
- A. Establishing central venous access and beginning fluid resuscitation
- B. Establishing a patent airway and beginning cardiopulmonary resuscitation
- C. Establishing peripheral IV access and administering IV epinephrine
- D. Performing a comprehensive assessment and initiating rapid fluid replacement
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: If cardiac arrest and respiratory arrest are imminent or have occurred, CPR is performed. As well, a patent airway is an immediate priority. Epinephrine is not withheld pending IV access and fluid resuscitation is not a priority.
The nurse is providing care for a patient who is in shock after massive blood loss from a workplace injury. The nurse recognizes that many of the findings from the most recent assessment are due to compensatory mechanisms. What is a compensatory mechanism to increase cardiac output during hypovolemic states?
- A. Third spacing of fluid
- B. Dysrhythmias
- C. Tachycardia
- D. Gastric hypermotility
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Tachycardia is a primary compensatory mechanism to increase cardiac output during hypovolemic states. The third spacing of fluid takes fluid out of the vascular space. Gastric hypermotility and dysrhythmias would not increase cardiac output and are not considered to be compensatory mechanisms.
When circulatory shock occurs, there is massive vasodilation causing pooling of the blood in the periphery of the body. An ICU nurse caring for a patient in circulatory shock should know that the pooling of blood in the periphery leads to what pathophysiological effect?
- A. Increased stroke volume
- B. Increased cardiac output
- C. Decreased heart rate
- D. Decreased venous return
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Pooling of blood in the periphery results in decreased venous return. Decreased venous return results in decreased stroke volume and decreased cardiac output. Decreased cardiac output, in turn, causes decreased blood pressure and, ultimately, decreased tissue perfusion. Heart rate increases in an attempt to meet the demands of the body.
The critical care nurse is preparing to initiate an infusion of a vasoactive medication to a patient in shock. The nurse knows that vasoactive medications are given in all forms of shock. What is the primary goal of this aspect of treatment?
- A. To prevent the formation of infarcts of emboli
- B. To limit stroke volume and cardiac output
- C. To prevent pulmonary and peripheral edema
- D. To maintain adequate mean arterial pressure
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Vasoactive medications can be administered in all forms of shock to improve the patients hemodynamic stability when fluid therapy alone cannot maintain adequate MAP. Specific medications are selected to correct the particular hemodynamic alteration that is impeding cardiac output. These medications help increase the strength of myocardial contractility, regulate the heart rate, reduce myocardial resistance, and initiate vasoconstriction. They are not specifically used to prevent emboli, edema, or infarcts.