The nurse is caring for a client who received a blunt force injury to zone II of the neck. Which assessment finding should the nurse report to the physician IMMEDIATELY?

A. Control dysrhythmias and decrease the heart rate

Controlling dysrhythmias is important, but decreasing heart rate is not always the goal, as a compensatory tachycardia may be necessary for perfusion.

B. Decrease cardiac workload and increase systemic perfusion

Cardiogenic shock results from impaired cardiac output. The goal is to reduce the heart’s workload (e.g., by reducing afterload) while improving systemic perfusion.

C. Improve oxygen exchange and decrease urinary output

Oxygenation is important, but decreased urinary output indicates poor renal perfusion and worsening shock, which is not a goal of treatment.

D. Decrease the blood pressure and respiratory rate

In cardiogenic shock, blood pressure is already low. The goal is to maintain adequate perfusion, not to further reduce BP.

A. Massive blood loss leading to decreased oxygen delivery to tissues

This describes hypovolemic shock, which occurs due to significant blood or fluid loss (e.g., hemorrhage, severe dehydration). In this scenario, there is no evidence of massive blood loss, making hypovolemic shock unlikely.

B. Severe allergic reaction causing systemic vasodilation and increased capillary permeability

This describes anaphylactic shock, which results from an acute allergic reaction (e.g., to food, medication, insect stings). There is no mention of an allergen exposure or symptoms like wheezing, stridor, or urticaria, making anaphylactic shock unlikely.

C. Infection causing a systemic inflammatory response leading to vasodilation and decreased tissue perfusion

This patient is exhibiting signs of septic shock, which occurs as a result of a severe infection leading to systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). The presence of fever, tachycardia, tachypnea, hypotension, and altered mental status strongly suggests sepsis progressing to septic shock.

D. Cardiac failure resulting in inadequate tissue perfusion and oxygenation

This describes cardiogenic shock, which occurs due to heart failure (e.g., from myocardial infarction, cardiomyopathy). It leads to low cardiac output, pulmonary congestion, and organ hypoperfusion. This patient’s infection and systemic inflammation suggest septic shock, not a primary cardiac event.