What typical sign/symptom indicates the early stage of septic shock?
Tachypnoea and tachycardia
Pallor and cool skin
Blood pressure 84/50 mm Hg
Respiratory acidosis
The Correct Answer is A
In the early stage of septic shock, the body initiates compensatory mechanisms to combat the infection and restore adequate tissue perfusion. Tachypnoea (rapid breathing) and tachycardia (elevated heart rate) are common early signs of septic shock.
Tachypnoea occurs as a response to increased metabolic demand and to compensate for impaired oxygenation and tissue perfusion. Tachycardia is the body's attempt to maintain cardiac output and compensate for decreased blood pressure.
B. Pallor and cool skin in (option B) is incorrect because Pallor and cool skin can occur in later stages of septic shock when perfusion to the peripheral tissues is compromised. However, they are not specific to the early stage.
C. Blood pressure 84/50 mm Hg in (option C) is incorrect because A blood pressure reading of 84/50 mm Hg indicates hypotension, which is typically seen in later stages of septic shock. In the early stage, blood pressure may still be within normal or slightly decreased range.
D. Respiratory acidosis in (optionD) is incorrect because: Respiratory acidosis refers to an imbalance in acid-base status and is not specific to the early stage of septic shock. Acid-base disturbances may occur at any stage of shock but are not indicative of the early stage.

Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
In septic shock, one of the key goals of management is to restore and maintain adequate intravascular volume. However, in this case, the patient's urine output is low (30 mL/hr for the past 3 hours), suggesting inadequate renal perfusion and potential fluid overload.
Administering additional normal saline at an increased rate (250 mL/hr) without addressing the low urine output could potentially exacerbate fluid overload and further compromise the patient's condition.
A. Administer hydrocortisone (Solu-Cortef) 100 mg IV in (option A) is incorrect because: Hydrocortisone is commonly used in septic shock to help stabilize blood pressure and modulate the inflammatory response.
B. Giving PRN furosemide (Lasix) 40 mg IV in (option B) is incorrect because Furosemide, a loop diuretic, can be administered as needed to address fluid overload or to increase urine output if there is evidence of volume overload.
D. Titrate norepinephrine (Levophed) to keep systolic BP >90 mm Hg in (option D) is incorrect because: Norepinephrine is a vasopressor commonly used in septic shock to increase systemic vascular resistance and maintain adequate blood pressure.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
This pathway represents the normal sequence of electrical impulses that coordinate the contraction and relaxation of the heart chambers.
The electrical signal originates from the sinoatrial (SA) node, which is often referred to as the natural pacemaker of the heart. It is located in the right atrium and generates the electrical impulses that initiate each heartbeat. From the SA node, the electrical signal travels to the atrioventricular (AV) node, which is located at the junction between the atria and ventricles.
After passing through the AV node, the electrical impulse travels through the bundle of His (also known as the atrioventricular bundle) and divides into the right and left bundle branches. These branches continue the conduction pathway and deliver the electrical signal to the Purkinje fibers.
The Purkinje fibers spread the electrical impulse rapidly throughout the ventricles, stimulating the contraction of the ventricular muscle and allowing for efficient pumping of blood out of the heart.
Therefore, the correct sequence of the normal conduction pathway in the heart is:
A. SA node - AV node - bundle of His - bundle branches - Purkinje fibers.
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