Your patient had an open colon resection a week ago and developed a subsequent infection of their surgical incision. Now the patient's blood pressure has been dropping for the past 2 hours and is currently 89/65. What type of shock is the patient experiencing?
Distributive
Hypovolemic
Obstructive
Cardiogenic
The Correct Answer is A
A. This type of shock occurs when there is widespread vasodilation leading to a relative hypovolemia, often seen in conditions like sepsis. Given that the patient has a surgical site infection, this is a plausible consideration. However, distributive shock typically involves more than just hypotension, including symptoms like warm skin and possible fever.
B. This type of shock results from significant fluid loss, leading to inadequate circulating volume. It can occur after surgery due to bleeding or fluid loss, but the context here suggests that the primary issue is infection rather than direct fluid loss.
C. Obstructive shock happens when there is a physical obstruction to blood flow, such as in cases of pulmonary embolism or tension pneumothorax. There’s no indication of obstruction in this scenario related to the infection and hypotension.
D. This shock type occurs when the heart fails to pump effectively, often due to myocardial infarction or severe heart failure. The patient’s history does not suggest heart dysfunction, so this option is less likely.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. This is incorrect because the time limit is shorter than 30 minutes.
B. This is also incorrect. You need to start the transfusion sooner than this timeframe.
C. You should start the transfusion within 15 minutes after the blood product is issued from the blood bank. This guideline is critical to minimize the risk of bacterial growth and ensure the safety of the transfusion.
D. The time limit is shorter than 60 minutes, emphasizing the urgency in starting the transfusion to maintain the integrity of the blood product.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Neutrophils are the most abundant type of WBC and are primarily involved in responding to bacterial infections. While they may increase during a viral infection, their primary function is to combat bacteria and fungi. Therefore, they are not the most specific indicator of viral illnesses.
B. Lymphocytes, which include T cells and B cells, are the most directly associated with viral infections. They play a crucial role in the adaptive immune response, recognizing and responding to viral pathogens. A significant increase in lymphocytes, particularly T cells, is commonly seen during viral infections.
C. Basophils are involved in allergic reactions and responses to parasites, releasing histamine and other mediators. They are not significantly involved in the response to viral infections and typically do not show a notable increase in these situations.
D. Eosinophils primarily respond to parasitic infections and allergic reactions. While they may be elevated in some allergic conditions and certain parasitic infections, they are not directly involved in the immune response to viral infections.
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