A patient admitted to the hospital with a suspected ruptured diverticulum develops signs and symptoms of septic shock.
The healthcare provider prescribes a sepsis protocol.
Which intervention is most important for the nurse to include in the plan of care?
Keep the head of the bed raised 45 degrees.
Monitor the patient’s blood glucose level.
Assess the warmth of the patient’s extremities.
Maintain strict intake and output.
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A rationale
Keeping the head of the bed raised 45 degrees can help improve lung expansion and reduce the risk of aspiration, which is particularly important for patients who are intubated or receiving enteral nutrition. However, it is not the most important intervention for a patient with septic shock.
Choice B rationale
Monitoring the patient’s blood glucose level is important, especially if the patient is receiving insulin or parenteral nutrition, as these can increase blood glucose levels. However, it is not the most important intervention for a patient with septic shock.
Choice C rationale
Assessing the warmth of the patient’s extremities can provide information about peripheral perfusion and may be useful in monitoring the patient’s response to treatment. However, it is not the most important intervention for a patient with septic shock.
Choice D rationale
This is the correct answer. Maintaining strict intake and output is crucial in managing a patient with septic shock. Fluid balance is a key component of managing septic shock, and accurate intake and output measurements are essential for guiding fluid resuscitation and assessing the patient’s response to treatment.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Testing the fluid on the dressing for glucose is the immediate course of action when a nurse notices clear fluid on the surgical dressing of a patient who has just returned from lumbar spinal surgery. Clear fluid could be cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which contains glucose. If the fluid is positive for glucose, it could indicate a CSF leak, which requires immediate medical attention.
Choice B rationale
Changing the dressing using a compression bandage is not the immediate course of action. The source of the fluid needs to be identified first.
Choice C rationale
Marking the drainage area with a pen and continuing to monitor is not the immediate course of action. The source of the fluid needs to be identified first.
Choice D rationale
Documenting the findings in the electronic medical record is important, but it is not the immediate course of action. The source of the fluid needs to be identified first.
Correct Answer is ["B","C","D"]
Explanation
Choice A rationale
A productive cough is not a specific indicator of hypoxia. It could be a symptom of many conditions, including a common cold, flu, or other respiratory tract infections.
Choice B rationale
A respiratory rate of 28 breaths/minute is higher than the normal range (12-20 breaths/minute for adults), indicating that the patient may be trying to increase oxygen intake and eliminate carbon dioxide due to hypoxia.
Choice C rationale
An oxygen saturation of 90% on room air is lower than the normal range (95%-100%). This indicates that the patient’s blood is not carrying as much oxygen as it should, which is a sign of hypoxia.
Choice D rationale
A heart rate of 101 beats/minute is higher than the normal range (60-100 beats/minute for adults). This could be a response to hypoxia as the body tries to deliver more oxygen to the tissues.
Choice E rationale
A capillary refill of 4 seconds is slightly longer than the normal range (less than 2 seconds). While this could indicate poor peripheral circulation, it is not a specific or direct indicator of hypoxia.
Choice F rationale
A blood pressure of 145/89 mm Hg is higher than the normal range (less than 120/80 mm Hg). While hypertension could be related to many factors, it is not a specific indicator of hypoxia.
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