Septic Shock and SIRS NUR 2712C
Exam Questions & Answers (Grade
A+)
After receiving 2 L of normal saline, the central venous pressure for
a patient who has septic shock is 10 mm
Hg, but the blood pressure is still 82/40 mm Hg.
The nurse will anticipate an order for?
a. nitroglycerine (Tridil).
b. norepinephrine (Levophed).
c. sodium nitroprusside (Nipride).
d. methylprednisolone (Solu-Medrol). -
correct answer ✅ANS: B
When fluid resuscitation is unsuccessful, vasopressor drugs are
administered to increase the systemic vascular resistance (SVR) and
blood pressure, and improve tissue per fusion.
Nitroglycerin would decrease the preload and further drop cardiac
output and BP.
Methylprednisolone (Solu-Medrol) is considered if blood pressure
does not respond first to fluids and vasopressors.
,Septic Shock and SIRS NUR 2712C
Exam Questions & Answers (Grade
A+)
Nitroprusside is an arterial vasodilator and would further decrease
SVR.
A 78-kg patient with septic shock has a urine output of 30 mI/hr for
the past 3 hours. The pulse rate is 120/minute and the central
venous pressure and pulmonary artery wedge pressure are low.
Which order by the health care provider will the nurse question?
a. Give PRN furosemide (Lasix) 40 mg IV.
b. Increase normal saline infusion to 250 mL/hr.
c. Administer hydrocortisone (Solu-Cortef) 100 mg IV.
d. Titrate norepinephrine (Levophed) to keep systolic BP >90 mm -
correct answer ✅ANS: A
Furosemide will lower the filling pressures and renal per fusion
further for the patient with septic shock.
The other orders are appropriate.
,Septic Shock and SIRS NUR 2712C
Exam Questions & Answers (Grade
A+)
A patient with septic shock has a BP of 70/46 mm Hg, pulse 136,
respirations 32, temperature 104 F, and blood glucose 246 mg/dL.
Which intervention ordered by the health care provider should the
nurse implement first?
a. Give normal saline IV at 500 mL/hr.
b. Give acetaminophen (Tylenol) 650 mg rectally.
c. Start insulin drip to maintain blood glucose at 110 to 150 mg/dL
d. Start norepinephrine (Levophed) to keep systolic blood pressure
>90 mm Hg -
correct answer ✅ANS: A
Because of the low systemic vascular resistance (SVR) associated
with septic shock, fluid resuscitation is the initial therapy.
The other actions also are appropriate, and should be initiated
quickly as well.
The nurse is caring for a patient who has septic shock.
, Septic Shock and SIRS NUR 2712C
Exam Questions & Answers (Grade
A+)
Which assessment finding is most important for the nurse to report
to the health care provider?
a. Blood pressure (BP) 92/56 mm Hg
b. Skin cool and clammy
c. Oxygen saturation 92%
d. Heart rate 118 beats/minute -
correct answer ✅ANS: B
Because patients in the early stage of septic shock have warm and
dry skin, the patients cool and clammy skin indicates that shock is
progressing.
The other information will also be reported, but does not indicate
deterioration of the patients status.
A patient who has been involved in a motor vehicle crash arrives in
the emergency department (ED) with cool, clammy skin;
tachycardia; and hypotension.
Exam Questions & Answers (Grade
A+)
After receiving 2 L of normal saline, the central venous pressure for
a patient who has septic shock is 10 mm
Hg, but the blood pressure is still 82/40 mm Hg.
The nurse will anticipate an order for?
a. nitroglycerine (Tridil).
b. norepinephrine (Levophed).
c. sodium nitroprusside (Nipride).
d. methylprednisolone (Solu-Medrol). -
correct answer ✅ANS: B
When fluid resuscitation is unsuccessful, vasopressor drugs are
administered to increase the systemic vascular resistance (SVR) and
blood pressure, and improve tissue per fusion.
Nitroglycerin would decrease the preload and further drop cardiac
output and BP.
Methylprednisolone (Solu-Medrol) is considered if blood pressure
does not respond first to fluids and vasopressors.
,Septic Shock and SIRS NUR 2712C
Exam Questions & Answers (Grade
A+)
Nitroprusside is an arterial vasodilator and would further decrease
SVR.
A 78-kg patient with septic shock has a urine output of 30 mI/hr for
the past 3 hours. The pulse rate is 120/minute and the central
venous pressure and pulmonary artery wedge pressure are low.
Which order by the health care provider will the nurse question?
a. Give PRN furosemide (Lasix) 40 mg IV.
b. Increase normal saline infusion to 250 mL/hr.
c. Administer hydrocortisone (Solu-Cortef) 100 mg IV.
d. Titrate norepinephrine (Levophed) to keep systolic BP >90 mm -
correct answer ✅ANS: A
Furosemide will lower the filling pressures and renal per fusion
further for the patient with septic shock.
The other orders are appropriate.
,Septic Shock and SIRS NUR 2712C
Exam Questions & Answers (Grade
A+)
A patient with septic shock has a BP of 70/46 mm Hg, pulse 136,
respirations 32, temperature 104 F, and blood glucose 246 mg/dL.
Which intervention ordered by the health care provider should the
nurse implement first?
a. Give normal saline IV at 500 mL/hr.
b. Give acetaminophen (Tylenol) 650 mg rectally.
c. Start insulin drip to maintain blood glucose at 110 to 150 mg/dL
d. Start norepinephrine (Levophed) to keep systolic blood pressure
>90 mm Hg -
correct answer ✅ANS: A
Because of the low systemic vascular resistance (SVR) associated
with septic shock, fluid resuscitation is the initial therapy.
The other actions also are appropriate, and should be initiated
quickly as well.
The nurse is caring for a patient who has septic shock.
, Septic Shock and SIRS NUR 2712C
Exam Questions & Answers (Grade
A+)
Which assessment finding is most important for the nurse to report
to the health care provider?
a. Blood pressure (BP) 92/56 mm Hg
b. Skin cool and clammy
c. Oxygen saturation 92%
d. Heart rate 118 beats/minute -
correct answer ✅ANS: B
Because patients in the early stage of septic shock have warm and
dry skin, the patients cool and clammy skin indicates that shock is
progressing.
The other information will also be reported, but does not indicate
deterioration of the patients status.
A patient who has been involved in a motor vehicle crash arrives in
the emergency department (ED) with cool, clammy skin;
tachycardia; and hypotension.
