After administering an inotropic medication to a patient in shock, the nurse monitors the patient for signs of:
Decreased cardiac output.
Increased afterload.
Increased cardiac output.
Slowing of the heart rate.
The Correct Answer is C
A. Decreased cardiac output: Inotropic medications are intended to improve cardiac function and increase cardiac output, so monitoring for signs of decreased cardiac output would be contrary to the expected therapeutic effect of these medications.
B. Increased afterload: Inotropic medications primarily affect the contractility of the heart muscle and do not typically have a direct effect on afterload (the force against which the heart must pump blood). While changes in afterload can occur as a secondary consequence of altered cardiac function, monitoring for signs of increased afterload would not be the primary focus after administering an inotropic medication.
C. Increased cardiac output.
Inotropic medications are drugs that affect the contractility of the heart muscle. They are often used in the management of shock to improve cardiac function and increase cardiac output. Therefore, after administering an inotropic medication, the nurse would monitor the patient for signs of increased cardiac output, such as improved peripheral perfusion, increased blood pressure, and resolution of signs and symptoms of shock.
D. Slowing of the heart rate: Inotropic medications can affect heart rate indirectly by altering cardiac output, but their primary effect is on contractility rather than heart rate. Monitoring for signs of bradycardia (slowing of the heart rate) may be appropriate in certain clinical situations, but it is not the primary consideration after administering an inotropic medication for shock.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["10"]
Explanation
To administer the correct dose of valproic acid, which is 500 mg, when the available oral solution concentration is 250 mg per 5 mL, the nurse needs to calculate the volume of the solution required.
The calculation is as follows: (500 mg) / (250 mg/5 mL) = 2 x 5 mL = 10 mL.
Therefore, the nurse should administer 10 mL of the valproic acid oral solution to deliver a dose of 500 mg.
Correct Answer is ["5"]
Explanation
To determine how many hours it will take for the IV pump to infuse the 1000 mL bag of 0.9% sodium chloride at a rate of 200 mL/hr, we can use the following formula:
Time (hr) = Volume (mL)/Rate (mL/hr)
Given:
Volume = 1000 mL
Rate = 200 mL/hr
Substitute the given values into the formula:
Time (hr)=1000 mL/200 mL/hr
Time (hr)=5hours
Rounding to the nearest whole number, the IV pump will infuse over 5 hours.
Therefore, the nurse should expect the IV pump to infuse over 5 hours.
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