A nurse and a newly licensed nurse are providing care for a client who has distributive shock. How should the nurse explain the pathophysiology of distributive shock to the newly licensed nurse?
"Distributive shock occurs due to increased systemic vascular resistance."
"Distributive shock occurs due to systemic vasodilation."
"Distributive shock occurs due to loss of myocardial contractility."
"Distributive shock occurs due to loss of blood volume."
The Correct Answer is B
A. Increased systemic vascular resistance is typically associated with hypovolemic or cardiogenic shock, not distributive shock.
B. Distributive shock is characterized by systemic vasodilation, which leads to a decrease in systemic vascular resistance and results in inadequate tissue perfusion despite normal or increased cardiac output.
C. Loss of myocardial contractility is related to cardiogenic shock, not distributive shock.
D. Loss of blood volume is a characteristic of hypovolemic shock, whereas distributive shock occurs even when blood volume is normal due to vasodilation.
Free Nursing Test Bank
- Free Pharmacology Quiz 1
- Free Medical-Surgical Quiz 2
- Free Fundamentals Quiz 3
- Free Maternal-Newborn Quiz 4
- Free Anatomy and Physiology Quiz 5
- Free Obstetrics and Pediatrics Quiz 6
- Free Fluid and Electrolytes Quiz 7
- Free Community Health Quiz 8
- Free Promoting Health across the Lifespan Quiz 9
- Free Multidimensional Care Quiz 10
View Related questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Respiratory acidosis is indicated by the low pH (7.22) and elevated PaCO2 (68 mm Hg), demonstrating that CO2 is retained due to hypoventilation (as seen with a respiratory rate of 7/min). The bicarbonate level is within normal range, suggesting no metabolic compensation is present.
B. Metabolic acidosis would be indicated by a low pH and low bicarbonate level, which is not the case here since the bicarbonate is normal at 26 mEq/L.
C. Metabolic alkalosis would present with a high pH and high HCO3, which does not match these values.
D. Respiratory alkalosis would show a high pH and low PaCO2, which is contrary to the provided ABG results.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Obstructive shock occurs when blood flow is physically obstructed, such as in cases of pulmonary embolism or cardiac tamponade, which is not indicated here as the cause is blood loss.
B. Septic shock is related to infection and systemic inflammatory response, not directly caused by blood loss.
C. Hypovolemic shock is caused by a significant loss of blood volume, leading to decreased blood pressure, which directly relates to the client losing 800 mL of blood during surgery. This condition results in inadequate perfusion and oxygen delivery to tissues.
D. Neurogenic shock results from spinal cord injuries leading to vasodilation and bradycardia, which is not applicable to this scenario.