The nurse is caring for a patient who is the victim of a traumatic motor vehicle accident. Vital signs are: T-98.8°F oral, P-140, B/P-86/52, R-28, pulse oximetry-92% on room air. The nurse would suspect which type of shock?

Septic

Hypovolemic

Cardiogenic

Anaphylactic

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

Choice A reason:

Septic shock is caused by severe infections leading to systemic inflammation and vasodilation. Symptoms often include fever, increased heart rate, low blood pressure, and signs of infection. While the vital signs in this scenario include tachycardia and hypotension, there is no indication of infection, fever, or other signs that would suggest sepsis as the primary cause of the shock.

Choice B reason:

Hypovolemic shock results from a significant loss of blood or fluids, common in traumatic injuries. The patient's tachycardia, hypotension, and decreased pulse oximetry indicate a possible significant blood loss due to the trauma from the motor vehicle accident. These signs are typical for hypovolemic shock, making it the most likely diagnosis given the context.

Choice C reason:

Cardiogenic shock is caused by the heart's failure to pump effectively, often due to myocardial infarction or heart disease. While hypotension and tachycardia are present, there are no other indicators, such as chest pain or history of heart disease, to suggest that the patient's shock is cardiogenic in nature. The context of a traumatic accident points more towards hypovolemic shock.

Choice D reason:

Anaphylactic shock is a severe allergic reaction causing widespread vasodilation and bronchoconstriction. Symptoms include sudden hypotension, tachycardia, and difficulty breathing. There is no mention of an allergen exposure or typical allergic reactions (such as rash, itching, or swelling) in the patient's history, making anaphylactic shock an unlikely cause of the symptoms described.

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Correct Answer is ["A","C","D"]

Explanation

Choice A reason: Cool, moist skin. Cool, moist skin is an early sign of shock as the body redirects blood flow away from the skin to vital organs. This is part of the body's compensatory mechanisms to maintain perfusion.

Choice B reason: Increased bowel sounds. Bowel sounds typically decrease during shock due to reduced blood flow to the gastrointestinal tract. Increased bowel sounds would not be expected.

Choice C reason: Restlessness. Restlessness is an early sign of shock indicating reduced oxygen delivery to the brain. The body responds by becoming more alert and anxious, reflecting increased sympathetic nervous system activity.

Choice D reason: Increased respiratory rate. An increased respiratory rate is a compensatory mechanism to improve oxygenation and reduce carbon dioxide levels in the blood. This is common in the early stages of shock.

Choice E reason: Decreased blood glucose. Blood glucose levels are generally not an immediate indicator in the early stages of shock. The body's stress response can actually increase blood glucose levels initially.

A. severe blood loss as a result of trauma. B. catatonia as a result of a psychological disturbance. C. tachycardia and hypotension. D. an imbalance between oxygen supply and demand.

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A reason:

Severe blood loss due to trauma can lead to hypovolemic shock, a specific type of shock. However, this description is not comprehensive enough to cover the pathophysiology of all types of shock. Shock involves various mechanisms and can occur due to different underlying causes beyond just blood loss, such as cardiac failure, infections, or neurological issues.

Choice B reason:

Catatonia is a state of psychomotor immobility and behavioral abnormality stemming from psychological disturbances, not a direct feature of shock. While mental status changes can be a symptom of shock, catatonia itself is not a defining characteristic of the condition. The pathophysiology of shock involves physiological imbalances rather than purely psychological disturbances.

Choice C reason:

Tachycardia (increased heart rate) and hypotension (low blood pressure) are symptoms that can occur during shock, but they do not describe the underlying pathophysiology. These signs are the body's response to the decreased perfusion and oxygen delivery to tissues. The fundamental issue in shock is the failure to meet the body's metabolic demands due to impaired oxygen delivery, which is better captured by another option.

Choice D reason:

An imbalance between oxygen supply and demand is the core issue in all types of shock. Whether due to blood loss, heart failure, or systemic infection, shock results in insufficient oxygen delivery to meet the needs of tissues and organs. This imbalance leads to cellular hypoxia and subsequent organ dysfunction, encapsulating the essential pathophysiological process of shock.

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The nurse is caring for a patient who is the victim of a traumatic motor vehicle accident. Vital signs are: T-98.8°F oral, P-140, B/P-86/52, R-28, pulse oximetry-92% on room air. The nurse would suspect which type of shock?

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Which assessment findings indicate to the nurse that a client is exhibiting early clinical manifestations of the compensatory stage of shock? (Select all that apply.)

Correct Answer is ["A","C","D"]

Explanation

The pathophysiology of shock is best described as:

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

The nurse understands that which hemodynamic parameters are consistent with hypovolemic shock? Decreased cardiac output and:

What clinical manifestation distinguishes or separates neurogenic shock from other forms of shock?

What is the initial therapy of choice for the treatment of anaphylactic shock?

Cardiac output (CO) equals:

The nurse is caring for a patient who is experiencing shock. What finding would the nurse expect when assessing the abdomen?

In a state of shock, the body attempts to maintain homeostasis by maintaining priority blood flow to the:

Cardiogenic shock occurs when the heart's pumping ability is compromised. What can impair the pumping ability of the heart? Select all that apply.

Which assessment finding indicates to the nurse that a client is exhibiting early clinical manifestations of the compensatory stage of shock? (Select all that apply).