Author Question: A patient in the intensive care unit has a blood pressure of 87/39 and has warm, flushed skin ... (Read 83 times)

jhjkgdfhk · **on:** Jun 25, 2018

A patient in the intensive care unit has a blood pressure of 87/39 and has warm, flushed skin accompanying his sudden decline in level of consciousness. The patient also has arterial and venous dilatation and a decrease in systemic vascular resistance.

What is this client's most likely diagnosis?
A)
Hypovolemic shock
B)
Septic shock
C)
Neurogenic shock
D)
Obstructive shock

Question 2

A 44-year-old woman has developed calf pain during a transatlantic flight. She is extremely short of breath upon arrival at her destination.

She was subsequently diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism (PE) that resolved with anticoagulant therapy. Which of these statements best characterizes the underlying problem of her PE?
A)
Ventilation was occurring, but perfusion was inadequate causing shortness of breath.
B)
The combination of normal perfusion but compromised ventilation caused hypoxia.
C)
She developed a transient anatomic shunt resulting in impaired oxygenation.
D)
Impaired gas diffusion across alveolar membranes resulted in dyspnea and hypoxia.

cadimas · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 25, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Ans:
B

Feedback:

Low blood pressure accompanied by warm, flushed skin and cognitive changes is indicative of septic shock, as is vessel dilatation and decreased vascular resistance.

Answer to Question 2

Ans:
A

Feedback:

Impaired blood flow to a portion of the lung, such as with a PE, is associated with ventilation without perfusion, rather than perfusion without ventilation. The situation is not related to an anatomic shunt or impaired diffusion across alveolar membranes.