The patient is recovering from hypovolemic shock. The nurse hangs ...

[ereecah]

The patient is recovering from hypovolemic shock. The nurse hangs a bag of normal human serum albumin (Albutein) and educates the patient about this fluid.
 
  The nurse evaluates that learning has occurred when the patient makes which statement?
  1. It is a protein that pulls water into my blood vessels.
  2. It is a protein that causes my kidneys to conserve fluid.
  3. It is a super-concentrated salt solution that helps me conserve body fluid.
  4. It is a liquid that has electrolytes in it to pull water into my blood vessels.

Question 2

The patient comes to the emergency department after suffering a bilateral traumatic amputation of his lower extremities. The physician orders normal serum albumin (Albuminar). The patient goes into shock.
 
  What will the best nursing assessment of this patient reveal?
  1. B/P: 140/90 mmHg, P: 46, weak and irregular, R: 24, and shallow.
  2. B/P: 50/0 mmHg, P: 126, weak and thready, R: 14, and shallow.
  3. B/P: 80/20 mmHg, P: 122, weak and thready, R: 28, and shallow.
  4. B/P: 130/88 mmHg, P: 90, bounding, R: 32, and shallow.

[pratush dev]

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 1
Rationale: Colloids are proteins or other large molecules that stay suspended in the blood for long periods because they are too large to easily cross membranes. They draw water molecules from the cells and tissues into the blood vessels through their ability to increase plasma oncotic pressure. Crystalloids are intravenous (IV) solutions that contain electrolytes, not proteins, in concentrations resembling those of plasma. They are used to replace lost fluids and promote urine output. Normal human serum albumin (Albutein) does not act on the kidneys. Normal human serum albumin is not a concentrated saline solution.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 3
Rationale: The central problem with hypovolemic shock is the inability of the cardiovascular system to send sufficient blood to the vital organs, with the heart and brain being affected early in the progression of the disease. Assessing the patient's cardiovascular status will result in a blood pressure that is low; a heart rate that may be rapid with a weak, thready pulse; and breathing that is rapid and shallow. A patient in shock will have a low blood pressure and a rapid, weak, not bounding, pulse. A patient in shock will have rapid respirations, a respiratory rate of 14 is considered normal. A patient in shock will have a low blood pressure; the heart rate will be rapid, not slowed.