Understanding The Essentials Of Critical Care Nursing By Perrin -Test Bank Care of the Patient Exper

) Which of the following should the nurse identify as symptoms of hypovolemic shock? (Select all that apply.) 1. A temperature of 97.6°F (36.4°C) 2. A decrease in blood pressure of 20 mm Hg when the patient sits up 3. Capillary refill time greater than 3 seconds 4. Restlessness 5. Sinus bradycardia of 55 beats per minute Answer: 2, 3, 4 Explanation: 1. (Note: This requires multiple responses to be correct.) Due to decreased blood flow to the brain and peripheral areas when blood is shunted to maintain the vital organs, cerebral hypoxia occurs. The action of standing will decrease the blood to the brain by gravitational pull and will require increased peripheral resistance or cardiac output to maintain cerebral blood supply. #1 is incorrect. Fever will increase oxygen demands but is unrelated to hypovolemic shock unless prolonged fever has caused severe dehydration, reducing the circulating blood volume. Hypovolemic shock reduces temperatures by peripheral shunting of blood away from the extremities and reducing the core metabolic rate. If septic shock is present fever might be present, but it is not present in all patients with hypovolemic shock. #5 is incorrect. Bradycardia is not present. The compensatory response is