Author Question: A client who is acutely ill is having difficulty maintaining a steady blood pressure. The nurse ... (Read 41 times)

sabina · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

A client who is acutely ill is having difficulty maintaining a steady blood pressure. The nurse recognizes that when the client's blood pressure drops, the hormonal mechanism that immediately takes action is:

1. aldosterone, released by the adrenal cortex to conserve water.
2. cortisol, released by the adrenal cortex to raise blood sugar.
3. insulin, released by the pancreas to increase energy production.
4. epinephrine, released by the adrenal medulla to trigger vasoconstriction.

Question 2

A child who is small-for-age is to receive supplemental injections of growth hormone. The mother of the client asks, Why does my child have to take these shots?

I read in the paper that hormones are dangerous. Which response by the nurse is most appropriate?
1. There are some hormones that are dangerous, but the shot your child will receive is not one of them.
2. Are you worried that your child will get hooked on drugs?
3. Your child's pituitary gland is not making enough growth hormone. This hormone makes bones and muscles grow to normal size. The shots are safe.
4. Your child's parathyroid glands are not making enough of a hormone called GH. The injection is very safe.

momolu · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 23, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 4
Rationale 1: This is not the first response to an erratic blood pressure.
Rationale 2: This response occurs much more slowly than the correct mechanism.
Rationale 3: This response occurs much later than the correct mechanism.
Rationale 4: Epinephrine is the fastest-acting endocrine hormone. It is released from the adrenal medulla. When blood pressure drops, it triggers a compensatory increase in heart rate, as well as vasoconstriction.
Global Rationale: Epinephrine is the fastest-acting endocrine hormone. It is released from the adrenal medulla. When blood pressure drops, it triggers a compensatory increase in heart rate, as well as vasoconstriction. The remaining actions do occur in response to changes in internal environment, but all take place much slower.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 1
Rationale 1: Supplemental growth hormone is administered to children who have low GH levels. There are real concerns with all hormone therapies, because the differences between too much, too little, and the right amount are very small.
Rationale 2: Reflection of the question back to the speaker can be therapeutic if the nurse believes that anxiety is high. However, this parent's question is a straightforward request for information. Physical or psychological dependence is not a concern.
Rationale 3: It is incorrect to state that the injections are safe.
Rationale 4: Growth hormone is not controlled by the parathyroid glands. It is incorrect to state that the injections are very safe.
Global Rationale: Supplemental growth hormone is administered to children who have low GH levels. There are real concerns with all hormone therapies, because the differences between too much, too little, and the right amount are very small. Reflection of the question back to the speaker can be therapeutic if the nurse believes that anxiety is high. However, this parent's question is a straightforward request for information. Physical or psychological dependence is not a concern. Growth hormone is not controlled by the parathyroid glands. It is incorrect to state that the injections are very safe.