Nokea
You are precepting a new graduate nurse in the ICU. You are collaborating in the care of a patient who is receiving large volumes of crystalloid fluid to treat hypovolemic shock. In light of this intervention, for what sign would you teach the new nurse to monitor the patient?
- A. Hypothermia
- B. Bradycardia
- C. Coffee ground emesis
- D. Pain
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Temperature should be monitored closely to ensure that rapid fluid resuscitation does not precipitate hypothermia. IV fluids may need to be warmed during the administration of large volumes. The nurse should monitor the patient for cardiovascular overload and pulmonary edema when large volumes of IV solution are administered. Coffee ground emesis is an indication of a GI bleed, not shock. Pain is related to cardiogenic shock.
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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.
The nurse in the ED is caring for a patient recently admitted with a likely myocardial infarction. The nurse understands that the patients heart is pumping an inadequate supply of oxygen to the tissues. For what health problem should the nurse assess?
- A. Dysrhythmias
- B. Increase in blood pressure
- C. Increase in heart rate
- D. Decrease in oxygen demands
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Cardiogenic shock occurs when the hearts ability to pump blood is impaired and the supply of oxygen is inadequate for the heart and tissues. Symptoms of cardiogenic shock include angina pain and dysrhythmias. Cardiogenic shock does not cause increased blood pressure, increased heart rate, or a decrease in oxygen demands.
A triage nurse in the ED is on shift when a grandfather carries his 4-year-old grandson into the ED. The child is not breathing, and the grandfather states the boy was stung by a bee in a nearby park while they were waiting for the boys mother to get off work. Which of the following would lead the nurse to suspect that the boy is experiencing anaphylactic shock?
- A. Rapid onset of acute hypertension
- B. Rapid onset of respiratory distress
- C. Rapid onset of neurologic compensation
- D. Rapid onset of cardiac arrest
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Characteristics of severe anaphylaxis usually include rapid onset of hypotension, neurologic compromise, and respiratory distress. Cardiac arrest can occur if prompt treatment is not provided.
The nurse is caring for a patient in the ICU whose condition is deteriorating. The nurse receives orders to initiate an infusion of dopamine. What would be the priority assessment and interventions specific to the administration of vasoactive medications?
- A. Frequent monitoring of vital signs, monitoring the central line site, and providing accurate drug titration
- B. Reviewing medications, performing a focused cardiovascular assessment, and providing patient education
- C. Reviewing the laboratory findings, monitoring urine output, and assessing for peripheral edema
- D. Routine monitoring of vital signs, monitoring the peripheral IV site, and providing early discharge instructions
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: When vasoactive medications are administered, vital signs must be monitored frequently (at least every 15 minutes until stable, or more often if indicated). 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 should be used to ensure that the medications are delivered safely and accurately. Individual medication dosages are usually titrated by the nurse, who adjusts drip rates based on the prescribed dose and the patients response. Reviewing medications, performing a focused cardiovascular assessment, and providing patient education are important nursing tasks, but they are not specific to the administration of IV vasoactive drugs. Reviewing the laboratory findings, monitoring urine output, and assessing for peripheral edema are not the priorities for administration of IV vasoactive drugs. Vital signs are taken on a frequent basis when monitoring administration of IV vasoactive drugs, vasoactive medications should be administered through a central venous line, and early discharge instructions would be inappropriate in this time of crisis.
An immunocompromised older adult has developed a urinary tract infection and the care team recognizes the need to prevent an exacerbation of the patients infection that could result in urosepsis and septic shock. What action should the nurse perform to reduce the patients risk of septic shock?
- A. Apply an antibiotic ointment to the patients mucous membranes, as ordered.
- B. Perform passive range-of-motion exercises unless contraindicated
- C. Initiate total parenteral nutrition (TPN)
- D. Remove invasive devices as soon as they are no longer needed
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Early removal of invasive devices can reduce the incidence of infections. Broad application of antibiotic ointments is not performed. TPN may be needed, but this does not directly reduce the risk of further infection. Range-of-motion exercises are not a relevant intervention.