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 C
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Paying close attention to the client’s account of the event is important, but it is not the most crucial intervention. The nurse should listen empathetically and nonjudgmentally to the client’s account, but this should not take precedence over ensuring the client’s physical well- being and preserving evidence.
Choice B rationale
Reporting the incident to the university’s security department is not the most crucial intervention. While it is important to report the incident to the appropriate authorities, the nurse’s primary responsibility is to the client. Ensuring the client’s physical well-being and preserving evidence should take precedence.
Choice C rationale
Preventing the client from showering until all evidence is collected is the most crucial intervention. Showering can destroy valuable physical evidence that can be used in the investigation and prosecution of the crime.
Choice D rationale
Ascertaining the client’s personal reaction to the reported rape is important, but it is not the most crucial intervention. The nurse should provide emotional support and refer the client to counseling services, but this should not take precedence over ensuring the client’s physical well-being and preserving evidence.
Correct Answer is C,A,B,D
Explanation
Step 1: Complete a focused assessment. The first step in managing a patient with abdominal pain and distention, vomiting, and constipation is to perform a focused assessment. This includes assessing the patient’s vital signs, pain level, abdominal distention, bowel sounds, and any other relevant physical findings.
Step 2: Elevate the head of the bed. Elevating the head of the bed can help reduce the risk of aspiration, especially in a patient who has recently vomited.
Step 3: Send the emesis sample to the lab. Analyzing the vomitus can provide important information about the possible causes of the patient’s symptoms. For example, the presence of blood could suggest a gastrointestinal bleed.
Step 4: Offer PRN pain medication. After the initial assessment and interventions, the nurse should address the patient’s comfort. Pain management is an important part of patient care, but in this scenario, it is not the highest priority.
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