Prep U for Final NS 312
A nurse assesses a client who is in cardiogenic shock. What statement best indicates the nurse's understanding of cardiogenic shock?
A decrease of cardiac output and evidence of tissue hypoxia in the presence of adequate intravascular volume. Explanation: Shock may have different causes (e.g., hypovolemic, cardiogenic, septic) but always involves a decrease in blood pressure and failure of the peripheral circulation because of sympathetic nervous system involvement.
The emergency department (ED) nurse is caring for a client with a possible acid-base imbalance. The physician has ordered an arterial blood gas (ABG). What is one of the most important indications of an acid-base imbalance that is shown in an ABG?
Bicarbonate (HCO3) Explanation: Arterial blood gas (ABG) results are the main tool for measuring blood pH, CO2 content (PaCO2), and bicarbonate. An acid-base imbalance may accompany a fluid and electrolyte imbalance. PaO2 and PO2 are not indications of acid-base imbalance. Carbonic acid levels are not shown in an ABG.
A vasoactive medication is prescribed for a patient in shock to help maintain MAP and hemodynamic stability. A medication that acts on the alpha-adrenergic receptors of the SNS is ordered. Its purpose is to:
constrict blood vessels in the cardiorespiratory system explanation: Alpha- and beta-adrenergic receptors work synergistically to improve hemodynamic stability. Alpha receptors constrict blood vessels in the cardiorespiratory and gastrointestinal systems, as well as in the skin and kidneys.
A nurse is caring for a client in a critical care unit. With what type of shock does a client experience a pooling of blood flow to the peripheral blood vessels?
distributive explanation: Distributive shock results from displacement of blood volume, creating pooling of blood in the peripheral blood vessels. Cardiogenic shock results from the failure of a heart as a pump. With hypovolemic shock, there is a decrease in the intravascular volume. Organ failure is not a type of shock.
The nursing student is preparing to care for an ICU client with shock. The instructor asks the student to name the different categories of shock. Which of the following is a category of shock?
distributive explanation: The four main categories of shock are hypovolemic, circulatory (distributive), obstructive, and cardiogenic, depending on the cause.
A client who experienced shock is now nonresponsive and having cardiac dysrhythmias. The client is being mechanically ventilated, receiving medications to maintain renal perfusion, and is not responding to treatment. In this stage, it is most important for the nurse to
encourage the family to touch and talk to the client explanation: The client is in the irreversible stage of shock and unlikely to survive. The family should be encouraged to touch and talk to the client. A spiritual advisor may be of comfort to the family. However, this is not definite. The second option provides false hope of the client's survival to the family as does the third option.
Before seeing a newly assigned client with respiratory alkalosis, a nurse quickly reviews the client's medical history. Which condition is a predisposing factor for respiratory alkalosis?
extreme anxiety explanation: Extreme anxiety may lead to respiratory alkalosis by causing hyperventilation, which results in excessive carbon dioxide (CO2) loss. Other conditions that may set the stage for respiratory alkalosis include fever, heart failure, injury to the brain's respiratory center, overventilation with a mechanical ventilator, pulmonary embolism, and early salicylate intoxication.
A client presents with anorexia, nausea and vomiting, deep bone pain, and constipation. The following are the client's laboratory values. sodium 130 mEq/L (130 mmol/L) potassium 4.6 mEq/L (4.6 mmol/L) chloride 94 mEq/L (94 mmol/L) calcium 12.9 mg/dL (3.2 mmol/L) What laboratory value is consistent with the client's symptoms?
Ca 12.9 explanation: More than 99% of the body's calcium is found in the skeletal system. Hypercalcemia, or calcium levels exceeding 10.2 mg/dL (2.5 mmol/L), can be a dangerous imbalance. The client presents with anorexia, nausea and vomiting, constipation, abdominal pain, bone pain, and confusion. The listed sodium, potassium, and chloride levels are within normal limits.
A client develops malignant hyperthermia. What client symptom would the nurse most likely observe as the first indicator of the disorder?
heart rate over 150 bpm Explanation: With malignant hyperthermia, tachycardia with a heart rate over 150 bpm is often the earliest sign because of an increase in end-tidal carbon dioxide. Rise in body temperature is a late sign that develops rapidly.
The nurse is caring for a client with multiple organ failure and in metabolic acidosis. Which pair of organs is responsible for regulatory processes and compensation?
lungs and kidney Explanation: The lungs and kidneys facilitate the ratio of bicarbonate to carbonic acid. Carbon dioxide is one of the components of carbonic acid. The lungs regulate carbonic acid levels by releasing or conserving CO2 by increasing or decreasing the respiratory rate. The kidneys assist in acid-base balance by retaining or excreting bicarbonate ions.
Clinical characteristics of neurogenic shock are noted by which type of stimulation?
parasympathetic explanation: The clinical characteristics of neurogenic shock are signs of parasympathetic stimulation. Sympathetic stimulation causes vascular smooth muscle to constrict, and parasympathetic stimulation causes vascular smooth muscle to relax or dilate. The client experiences a predominant parasympathetic stimulation that causes vasodilation lasting for an extended period, leading to a relative hypovolemic state. It is not characterized by sympathetic, endocrine, or cerebral stimulation.
The nurse is assisting the physician with placing a ventricular assist device (VAD). Which assessment finding would confirm the successful implementation?
pedal pulse The ventricular assist device (VAD) is a medical mechanical device used to improve cardiac output and redistribute blood. The best evidence to confirm successful implementation is by identifying a strong pedal pulse in a lower extremity.
A client has a pulse rate of 142 beats per minute and a blood pressure of 70/30. To promote venous return, the nurse
raises the foot of the client's bed explanation: The description of the client is that of a person experiencing shock. In addition to administering fluids to a client in shock, the nurse positions the client with the legs elevated, which promotes venous blood return. Elevating the head of the bed will cause the client's blood pressure to drop even more. The Trendelenburg position will make breathing difficult and does not increase blood pressure or cardiac output. Placing the client in a side-lying position does not increase venous blood return.
A client is diagnosed with syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH). The nurse should anticipate which laboratory test result?
serum sodium level 124 explanation: In SIADH, the posterior pituitary gland produces excess antidiuretic hormone (vasopressin), which decreases water excretion by the kidneys. This, in turn, reduces the serum sodium level, causing hyponatremia, as indicated by a serum sodium level of 124 mEq/L.
A client is diagnosed with hypocalcemia and the nurse is teaching the client about symptoms. What symptom would the nurse include in the teaching?
tingling sensation in the fingers explanation: Tingling or numbness in the fingers is a symptom of hypocalcemia. Flank pain, polyuria, and hypertension are symptoms of hypercalcemia.
When planning the care of the patient in cardiogenic shock, what does the nurse understand is the primary treatment goal?
treat the oxygenation needs of the heart muscle explanation: As with all forms of shock, the underlying cause of cardiogenic shock must be corrected. It is necessary first to treat the oxygenation needs of the heart muscle to ensure its continued ability to pump blood to other organs.
The nurse is concerned that a postoperative patient may have a paralytic ileus. What assessment data may indicate that the patient does have a paralytic ileus?
Absence of peristalsis Explanation: paralytic ileus and intestinal obstruction are potential postoperative complications that occur more frequently in patients undergoing intestinal or abdominal surgery. Manipulation of the abdominal organs during surgery may produce a loss of normal peristalsis for 24 to 48 hours, depending on the type and extent of surgery.
A client had a nephrectomy 2 days ago and is now complaining of abdominal pressure and nausea. The first nursing action should be to:
Auscultate bowel sounds Explanation: If abdominal distention is accompanied by nausea, the nurse must first auscultate bowel sounds. If bowel sounds are absent, the nurse should suspect gastric or small intestine dilation and these findings must be reported to the physician. If peristalsis is absent, changing positions and inserting a rectal tube won't relieve the client's discomfort.
A nurse educator is teaching students the types of shock and associated causes. Which combination of shock type and causative factors are correct? Select all that apply. Hypovolemic shock; blood loss Obstructive shock; kidney stone Cardiogenic shock; myocardial infarction Anaphylactic shock; nuts Septic shock; infection Neurogenic shock; diabetes
Hypovolemic shock; blood loss Cardiogenic shock; myocardial infarction Anaphylactic shock; nuts Septic shock; infection Explanation: Shock is a life-threatening condition that occurs when arterial blood flow and oxygen delivery to tissues and cells are inadequate. Hypovolemic shock occurs when the volume of extracellular fluid is significantly diminished due to the loss of or reduced blood or plasma. Obstructive shock occurs when there is interfere in blood flow through the heart . Cardiogenic shock occurs when the heart is ineffective in pumping possibly due to a myocardial infarction. Anaphylactic shock occurs from an allergen such as nuts. Septic shock occurs from a bacterial infection. Neurogenic shock results from an insult to the vasomotor center in the medulla or peripheral nerves.
Which stage of shock encompasses mechanical ventilation, altered level of consciousness, and profound acidosis?
Irreversible Explanation: The irreversible stage encompasses use of mechanical ventilation, altered consciousness, and profound acidosis. The compensatory stage encompasses decreased urinary output, confusion, and respiratory alkalosis. The progressive stage involves metabolic acidosis, lethargy, and rapid, shallow respirations. There is not a stage of shock called the precompensatory stage.
A client admitted for outpatient surgery has been NPO for several hours. The client, sitting in bed, experiences a transient neurogenic shock following insertion of an intravenous catheter. The nurse first
Lays the client flat with the feet elevated Explanation: A client admitted for outpatient surgery has been NPO for several hours. The client, sitting in bed, experiences a transient neurogenic shock following insertion of an intravenous catheter. The nurse first
Following a motor vehicle collision, a client is admitted to the emergency department with a blood pressure of 88/46, pulse of 54 beats/min with a regular rhythm, and respirations of 20 breaths/min with clear lung sounds. The client's skin is dry and warm. The nurse assesses the client to be in which type of shock?
Neurogenic Explanation: The client in neurogenic shock experiences hypotension, bradycardia, and dry, warm skin. A client experiencing septic shock would exhibit tachycardia. A client in anaphylactic shock would experience respiratory distress. A client in cardiogenic shock would exhibit cardiac dysrhythmias and adventitious lung sounds.
On postoperative day 2, a client requires care for a surgical wound using second-intention healing. What type of dressing change should the nurse anticipate doing?
Packing the wound with sterile saline-soaked dressing and covering it with a dry dressing. Explanation: Postoperative surgical wounds that are allowed to heal using second-intention healing are usually packed with a sterile saline-soaked dressing and covered with a dry dressing. The edges of a wound healing by second intention are not approximated. The wound may be cleaned using sterile saline, but the nurse would not apply a cyanoacrylate tissue adhesive. The wound should not be left open to the air, as it could expose the wound to microorganisms and dry out the wound bed, impairing healing.
A nurse reviews the arterial blood gas (ABG) values of a client admitted with pneumonia: pH, 7.51; PaCO2, 28 mm Hg; PaO2, 70 mm Hg; and HCO3--, 24 mEq/L. What do these values indicate?
Respiratory alkalosis Explanation: A client with pneumonia may hyperventilate in an effort to increase oxygen intake. Hyperventilation leads to excess carbon dioxide (CO2) loss, which causes alkalosis — indicated by this client's elevated pH value. With respiratory alkalosis, the kidneys' bicarbonate (HCO3-) response is delayed, so the client's HCO3- level remains normal. The below-normal value for the partial pressure of arterial carbon dioxide (PaCO2) indicates CO2 loss and signals a respiratory component. Because the HCO3- level is normal, this imbalance has no metabolic component. Therefore, the client is experiencing respiratory alkalosis.
A client with hypervolemia asks the nurse what mechanism in the sodium potassium pump will move the excess body fluid. What is the nurse's best answer?
active transport explanation: Active transport is the physiologic pump that moves fluid from an area of lower concentration to one of higher concentration. Active transport requires adenosine triphosphate for energy.
