Midterm Flashcards
You’re working on a neuro unit. Which of your patients below are at risk for developing neurogenic shock? Select all that apply:*
A. A 36-year-old with a spinal cord injury at L4.
B. A 42-year-old who has spinal anesthesia.
C. A 25-year-old with a spinal cord injury above T6.
D. A 55-year-old patient who is reporting seeing green halos while taking Digoxin.
The answers are B and C. Any patient who has had a cervical or upper thoracic (above T6) spinal cord injury, receiving spinal anesthesia, or taking drugs that affect the autonomic or sympathetic nervous system is at risk for developing neurogenic shock.
True or False: The parasympathetic nervous system loses the ability to stimulate nerve impulses in patients who are experiencing neurogenic shock. This leads to hemodynamic changes.
Answer: FALSE….the statement should say: The sympathetic (NOT parasympathetic) nervous system loses the ability to stimulate nerve impulses in patients who are experiencing neurogenic shock. This leads to hemodynamic changes.
A 42-year-old male patient is admitted with a spinal cord injury. The patient is experiencing severe hypotension and bradycardia. The patient is diagnosed with neurogenic shock. Why is hypotension occurring in this patient with neurogenic shock?
A. The patient has an increased systemic vascular resistance. This increases preload and decreases afterload, which will cause severe hypotension.
B. The patient’s autonomic nervous system has lost the ability to regulate the diameter of the blood vessels and vasodilation is occurring.
C. The patient’s parasympathetic nervous system is being unopposed by the sympathetic nervous system, which leads to severe hypotension.
D. The increase in capillary permeability has depleted the fluid volume in the intravascular system, which has led to severe hypotension.
The answer is B. The sympathetic nervous system (which is a division of the autonomic nervous system) is unable to stimulate the nerves that regulate the diameter of the blood vessels (there’s a loss of vasomotor tone). So, now the vessels are relaxed and this causes massive vasodilation. Systemic vascular resistance will decrease and hypotension will occur.
You receive a patient in the ER who has sustained a cervical spinal cord injury. You know this patient is at risk for neurogenic shock. What hallmark signs and symptoms, if experienced by this patient, would indicate the patient is experiencing neurogenic shock? Select all that apply:* A. Blood pressure 69/38 B. Heart rate 170 bpm C. Blood pressure 250/120 D. Heart rate 29 E. Warm and dry skin F. Cool and clammy skin G. Temperature 104.9 ‘F H. Temperature 95 ‘F
The answers are A, D, E, and H. Hallmark signs and symptoms of neurogenic shock are: hypotension, bradycardia, hypothermia, warm/dry skin (this is due to the vasodilation and blood pooling and will be found in the extremities).
In neurogenic shock, a patient will experience a decrease in tissue perfusion. This deprives the cells of oxygen that make up the tissues and organs. Select all the mechanisms, in regards to pathophysiology, of why this is occurring:*
A. Loss of vasomotor tone
B. Increase systemic vascular resistance
C. Decrease in cardiac preload
D. Increase in cardiac afterload
E. Decrease in venous blood return to the heart
F. Venous blood pooling in the extremities
The answers are A, C, E, and F. Massive vasodilation is occurring in the body and this is due to the loss of vasomotor tone (remember the sympathetic nervous system loses its ability to stimulate nerves that regular the diameter of vessels….so vessels are relaxed). This will DECREASE (NOT increase) systemic vascular resistance (which will decrease cardiac afterload) and the blood pressure will fall. Furthermore, there is pooling of venous blood in the extremities because there isn’t any pressure to push it back to the heart. This will cause a decrease in venous blood return to the heart. When this occurs it will decrease cardiac preload (the amount the ventricle stretch at the end of diastole). All of this together will decrease the amount of blood the heart can pump per minute….hence the cardiac output and shock will occur.
You’re providing care to a patient experiencing neurogenic shock due to an injury at T4. As the nurse, you know which of the following is a patient safety priority?*
A. Keeping the head of the bed greater than 45 degrees at all times.
B. Repositioning the patient every thirty minutes.
C. Keeping the patient’s spine immobilized.
D. Avoiding log-rolling the patient during transport.
The answer is C. It is very important when a patient has a spinal cord injury to keep the spine protected. The nurse wants to prevent further damage or perfusion issues to the spinal cord. Therefore, the patient’s spine should be immobilized. Example: usage of cervical collar, log-rolling, usage of a backboard.
A patient in neurogenic shock is ordered intravenous fluids due to severe hypotension. During administration of the fluids the nurse will monitor the patient closely and immediately report?*
A. Increase in blood pressure
B. High central venous pressure (CVP) and pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP)
C. Urinary output of 300 mL in the past 5 hours
D. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) 85 mmHg
The answer is B. Option B would indicate the patient is in fluid volume overload. Remember that patients in neurogenic shock usually have a normal blood volume. If fluids are ordered to help increase the blood pressure, they should be used with extreme caution because fluid overload can occur. An increase in the CVP and PAWP would indicate this. These pressures show the filling pressure in the heart.
A patient with neurogenic shock is experiencing a heart rate of 30 bpm. What medication does the nurse anticipate will be ordered by the physician STAT?* A. Adenosine B. Warfarin C. Atropine D. Norepinephrine
The answer is C. Atropine will quickly increase the heart rate and block the effects of the parasympathetic system on the body. Remember bradycardia occurs in neurogenic shock because the sympathetic nervous system (which increases the heart rate) loses its ability to stimulate nerves. The sympathetic and parasympathetic systems are, in a way, balancing each other out when it comes to the heart rate. The sympathetic system increases it, while the parasympathetic decreases it. If the sympathetic system isn’t working the way it should, it can NOT oppose the parasympathetic system….which will take over and lead to bradycardia.
Your patient in neurogenic shock is not responding to IV fluids. The patient is started on vasopressors. What option below, if found in your patient, would indicate the medication is working?*
A. Decreased CVP (central venous pressure)
B. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) 90 mmHg
C. Serum lactate 6 mmol/L
D. Blood pH 7.20
The answer is B. A MAP of 85-90 mmHg will help maintain tissue perfusion and indicates the vasopressor is working to maintain tissue perfusion. It does this by causing vasoconstriction. Options A, C, and D would indicate tissue perfusion is decreased.
You’re developing a nursing plan of care for a patient with neurogenic shock. As the nurse, you know that due to venous blood pooling from vasodilation a deep vein thrombosis can occur in this type of shock. A patient goal is that the patient will be free from the development of a deep vein thrombosis. Select all the nursing interventions below that can help the patient meet this goal:*
A. Perform range of motion exercises daily.
B. Place a pillow underneath the patient knees as needed.
C. Administer anticoagulants as scheduled per physician’s order.
D. Apply compression stockings daily.
The answers are A, C, and D. Option B would impede blood flow and increase the risk of a DVT. The other options would help prevent a DVT.
True or False: Hypovolemic shock occurs where there is low fluid volume in the interstitial compartment.*
FALSE Hypovolemic shock occurs where there is low fluid volume in the INTRAVASCULAR (not interstitial) system.
As the nurse you know that in order for hypovolemic shock to occur the patient would need to lose \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ of their blood volume.* A. <30% B. >25% C. >15% D. >10%
The answer is C. As the nurse you know that in order for hypovolemic shock to occur the patient would need to lose 15% or more of their blood volume.
If a patient has a blood volume of 5 Liters and loses 2 Liters, what is the percentage amount of volume loss this patient has experienced?* A. 25% B. 40% C. 30% D. 10%
The answer is B. This patient has lost 40% of blood volume. Based on this amount of fluid loss, this patient would be in class III (stage 3 of hypovolemic shock). Class III occurs when volume loss is 30-40% or 1,500-2,000 mL in an adult.
A patient who is experiencing hypovolemic shock has decreased cardiac output, which contributes to ineffective tissue perfusion. The decrease in cardiac output occurs due to?* A. An increase in cardiac preload B. An increase in stroke volume C. A decrease in cardiac preload D. A decrease in cardiac contractility
The answer is C. Because there is a major depletion of volume in the intravascular system, there will be a decrease in the amount of venous return to the heart (this is the amount of blood draining back to the heart). Hence, this will lead to a DECREASE in preload. Remember preload is the amount the ventricles stretch once their filled with blood. The ventricle won’t be stretching too much because there isn’t enough fluid to fill them. This will decrease stroke volume and in turn decrease cardiac output.
True or False: A patient with acute pancreatitis is presenting with Turner and Cullen’s Sign. This patient is at risk for absolute hypovolemic shock.*
The answer is FALSE: The statement should read: A patient with acute pancreatitis is presenting with Turner and Cullen’s Sign. This patient is at risk for RELATIVE (not absolute) hypovolemic shock. Relative hypovolemic shock is an INSIDE fluid shift from the intravascular system, which occurs in cases of acute pancreatitis. If a patient has Turner’s Sign (bruising on the flanks) or Cullen’s Sign (bruising around the umbilicus) this can indicate internal hemorrhage and this places the patient at risk for RELATIVE hypovolemic shock. Absolute hypovolemic shock occurs when there is an OUTSIDE fluid shift out of the body from the intravascular system.
Select all the conditions below that increases a patient's risk for absolute hypovolemic shock:* A. Burns B. Vomiting C. Long bone fracture D. Surgery E. Diarrhea F. Sepsis
The answers are: B, D, and E. Vomiting, diarrhea, and surgery can all increase the loss of fluid volume outside the body, which are absolute hypovolemic shock types. Burns, long bone fracture, and sepsis can lead to an inside fluid shift of fluid from the intravascular system and are relative hypovolemic shock types.
A patient has a 10% loss of their blood volume. Select all the signs and symptoms this patient may present with?* A. Cool, clammy skin B. Blood pressure within normal limits C. Anxiety D. Capillary refill less than 2 seconds E. Urinary output greater than 30 mL/hr F. Mild tachycardia
The answers are: B, D, and E. The body can compensate for a volume loss of <15% to maintain cardiac output. Therefore, the patient will be asymptomatic until blood loss is greater than 15% and you would select normal findings for this question, which are: blood pressure within normal limits, capillary refill less than 2 seconds, urinary output greater than 30 mL/hr. Anxiety, cool/clammy skin, and mild tachycardia may present when volume loss is higher.
During what stage (or class) of hypovolemic shock does the sympathetic nervous system attempt to maintain cardiac output?* A. I B. III C. IV D. II
The answer is D. During stage 2 or class II of hypovolemic shock, the cardiac output is falling even more due to volume loss. This is when the patient has lost 15-30% of volume. During this time the sympathetic nervous system will take over and attempt to maintain cardiac output.
One of your patients begins to vomit large amounts of bright red blood. The patient is taking Warfarin. You call a rapid response. Which assessment findings indicate this patient is developing hypovolemic shock? Select all that apply:* A. Temperature 104.8 'F B. Heart rate 40 bpm C. Heart rate 140 bpm D. Anxiety, restlessness E. Urinary output 15 mL/hr F. Blood pressure 70/56 G. Pale, cool skin H. Weak peripheral pulses I. Blood pressure 220/106
The answers are: C, D, E, F, G, and H. Signs and symptoms of hypovolemic shock include: tachycardia, hypotension, increased respiratory rate, cool/pale/clammy skin, anxiety, decreased urinary output (normal UOP is >30 mL/hr), weak peripheral pulses
You're providing care to a patient who has experienced a 45% loss of their fluid volume and is experiencing hypovolemic shock. The patient has hemodynamic monitoring and fluid resuscitation is being attempted. Which finding indicates the patient is still in hypovolemic shock?* A. Low central venous pressure B. High pulmonary artery wedge pressure C. Elevated mean arterial pressure D. Low systemic vascular resistance
The answer is A. Central venous pressure is the measurement of the pressure in the right atrium and superior vena cava. If fluid volume is low (as in hypovolemic shock) the pressure in this area will also be low. This indicates the patient is still in hypovolemic shock.
A patient is 1 hour post-op from abdominal surgery and had lost 20% of their blood volume during surgery. The patient is experiencing signs and symptoms of hypovolemic shock. What position is best for this patient?* A. Modified Trendelenburg B. Trendelenburg C. High Fowler's D. Supine
The answer is A. Modified Trendelenburg position is where the patient is supine with their legs elevated at 45 degrees. This will help increase venous return to the heart (hence increase preload), which will help increase cardiac output.
A 35-year-old male arrives to the emergency room with multiple long bone fractures and an internal abdominal injury. The patient is anxious. Patient’s vital signs are: Blood pressure 70/54, heart rate 125 bpm, respirations 30, oxygen saturation on 2 L nasal cannula 96%, temperature 99.3 ‘F, pain 6 on 1-10 scale. During assessment it is noted the skin is cool and clammy. The nurse will make it priority to?*
A. Collect a urine sample
B. Obtain an EKG
C. Establish 2 large-bore IV access sites
D. Place a warming blanket on the patient
The answer is C. This patient is at major risk for hypovolemic shock due to the multiple long bone fractures and an internal abdominal injury (this can lead to relative hypovolemic shock…where fluid is loss inside the body). The patient is already showing signs and symptoms of hypovolemic shock. Therefore, it should be a nursing priority to establish IV access (at least two sites should be obtained using a large-bore cannula….18 gauge or higher). Fluids and possibly blood products will need to be given to this patient along with pain medication etc.
A patient in hypovolemic shock is receiving rapid infusions of crystalloid fluids. Which patient finding requires immediate nursing action?*
A. Patient heart rate is 115 bpm
B. Patient experiences dyspnea and crackles in lung fields
C. Patient is anxious
D. Patient’s urinary output is 35 mL/hr
The answer is B. When crystalloid fluids are given there is a risk for fluid volume overload even though the patient is hypovolemic, especially with rapid infusions. Therefore, the nurse should monitor the patient for this. If a patient develops difficulty breathing (dyspnea) and has crackles in the lung fields (this represents edema in the lungs), fluid is backing up in the lungs. This requires immediate nursing action. Option A and C are expected finding in hypovolemic shock, and option D is a normal finding…urinary output should be >30 mL/hr.
A patient has lost 750 mL of blood volume. The MD orders Normal Saline infusion. Using the 3:1 rule, how much crystalloid solution should be prescribed by the doctor?* A. 2,250 mL of Normal Saline B. 250 mL of Normal Saline C. 375 mL of Normal Saline C. 1,225 mL of Normal Saline
The answer is A. For crystalloid solutions (this includes normal saline and lactated ringer’s), a 3:1 rule is used. This rule states for every 1 mL of approximate blood loss 3 mL of crystalloid solution is given. Therefore, if the patient loses 750 mL of blood, the patient would receive 2,250 mL of saline. 750 x 3 = 2,250
