Question

1. you respond to the local nursing home for an 85 - year - old woman who has altered mental status. during your assessment, you notice that the patient has a fever. she is hypotensive, and her pulse is tachycardic. the nursing staff tells you that she has been sick for several days and that they called because her mental status continued to decline. you suspect the patient is in septic shock. this type of shock is due to:

a. pump failure
b. massive vasoconstriction
c. release of bacterial toxins
d. increased volume

1. you are called to a motor vehicle collision. your patient is a 19 - year - old woman who was not wearing her seat belt. she is conscious but confused. her airway is open, and respirations are within normal limits. her pulse is slightly tachycardic. her blood pressure is within normal limits. she is complaining of being thirsty and appears very anxious. what is the last measurable factor to change that would indicate shock?

a. mental status
b. blood pressure
c. pulse rate
d. respirations

1. you respond to a 17 - year - old football player who was hit by numerous opponents. while walking off the field, he became unconscious. you take cervical spine control and start your assessment. you know that in the treatment of shock, you must do all of the following except:

a. secure and maintain an airway
b. provide respiratory support
c. assist ventilations
d. use hot water bottles or heating pads to keep the patient warm

Explanation:

• Question 3: Septic shock is caused by the release of bacterial toxins. Pump failure is related to cardiogenic shock, massive vasoconstriction is not the cause of septic shock, and increased volume is not relevant here.
• Question 4: In shock, blood pressure is the last measurable factor to change. Mental status, pulse rate, and respirations change earlier.
• Question 5: Using hot water bottles or heating pads can cause vasodilation and worsen shock. Securing and maintaining an airway, providing respiratory support, and assisting ventilations are all important in shock treatment.

Answer:

1. C. Release of bacterial toxins
2. B. Blood pressure
3. D. use hot water bottles or heating pads to keep the patient warm