A 78-kg patient in septic shock has a pulse rate of 120 beats/min with low central venous pressure and pulmonary artery wedge pressure. After initial fluid volume resuscitation, the patient's urine output has been 30 mL/hr for the past 3 hours. Which order by the health care provider should the nurse question?

Give hydrocortisone (Solu-Cortef) 100 mg IV.

Administer furosemide (Lasix) 40 mg IV.

Increase normal saline infusion to 250 ml/hr.

Use norepinephrine to keep systolic BP above 90 mm Hg.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

B. Administering furosemide, a loop diuretic, to a patient in septic shock with low urine output could exacerbate hypovolemia and worsen organ perfusion. It could further reduce preload, exacerbating hypotension, and impairing cardiac output. Loop diuretics are typically contraindicated in hypovolemic shock.

A. Corticosteroids such as hydrocortisone can help improve vascular tone and responsiveness to vasopressors. Given the patient's clinical presentation and lack of response to initial fluid resuscitation, administering hydrocortisone is appropriate.

C. Increasing the fluid infusion rate can help restore intravascular volume and improve organ perfusion. However, caution should be exercised to avoid fluid overload and pulmonary edema.

D .Norepinephrine is a vasopressor commonly used to increase systemic vascular resistance and improve blood pressure in septic shock. It helps maintain perfusion pressure to vital organs, thereby supporting organ function.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A. The insertion of a pulmonary artery catheter can help in assessing hemodynamic parameters and distinguishing between these two conditions. It provides direct measurement of pulmonary artery pressures, which can be elevated in the case of heart failure.

B. A ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) scan is used to evaluate ventilation and perfusion in the lungs. While it can help identify areas of ventilation-perfusion mismatch, it may not be the most appropriate initial test for distinguishing between ARDS and pulmonary edema.

C. Drawing blood for arterial blood gases is also a critical step as it helps in assessing the severity of hypoxemia and respiratory failure.

D. A chest x-ray can show the presence of bilateral opacities, which are indicative of ARDS when cardiac failure or fluid overload is not the primary cause. However, transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is often performed to seek evidence of cardiac dysfunction when cardiogenic pulmonary edema cannot be excluded by clinical evaluation, laboratory findings, or imaging.

A. The patient has occasional audible expiratory wheezes. B. The patient's respiratory rate is 32 breaths/min C. The patient was last suctioned 6 hours ago. D. The patient's oxygen saturation drops to 93%.

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

D. A drop in oxygen saturation may indicate inadequate oxygenation, which could be due to airway obstruction or retained secretions.

A. While audible expiratory wheezes may indicate airway obstruction or secretions, they do not necessarily indicate the need for suctioning in a patient receiving mechanical ventilation.

B. An elevated respiratory rate may suggest increased work of breathing, which could be due to retained secretions or airway obstruction. However, an elevated respiratory rate alone may not always indicate the need for suctioning.

C. The timing of the last suctioning episode is an important consideration when determining the need for suctioning. However, it should not be the sole indicator for when to suction.

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A patient develops increasing dyspnea and hypoxemia 2 days after heart surgery. What procedure should the nurse anticipate assisting with to determine whether the patient has acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) or pulmonary edema caused by heart failure?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Which assessment finding by the nurse caring for a patient receiving mechanical ventilation indicates the need for suctioning?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A patient who has been involved in a motor vehicle crash arrives in the emergency department (ED) with cool, clammy skin; tachycardia; and hypotension. Which intervention prescribed by the health care provider should the nurse implement first?

A nurse is caring for a client who has a cardiopulmonary arrest. The nurse anticipates the emergency response team will administer which of the following medications if the client's restored rhythm is symptomatic bradycardia?

A nurse is preparing a client for transfer to the ICU for placement of a pulmonary artery catheter. The nurse should explain to the client that this catheter is used to monitor which of the following conditions?

Which of the following is an appropriate nursing intervention for a patient with a pulmonary artery catheter?

Which action should the nurse take first when the low pressure alarm sounds for a patient who has an arterial line in the left radial artery?

A patient admitted with urosepsis and alcohol abuse had three seconds of PVCS and returns to sinus tachycardia. The patient's baseline heart rate ie 116/ min with a temperature of 101.1F, respirations of 22/min and blood pressure is 114/64. What should the nurse anticipate to do first?

A nurse is collecting a medication history from a client who is scheduled to have a cardiac catheterization. Which of the following medications taken by the client interacts with contrast material and places the client at risk for acute kidney injury?

A patient with respiratory failure has a respiratory rate of 6 breaths/min and an oxygen saturation (SpO2) of 78%. The patient is increasingly lethargic. Which intervention will the nurse anticipate?