Mrs. Bagent 1-9 BWAKANANG SHET
Mrs. Bagent 1-9 BWAKANANG SHET
Mrs. Bagent 1-9 BWAKANANG SHET
Mrs. Bagent was admitted to the medical unit of the hospital 3 days ago with
pneumonia and heart failure. Upon admission, the client was having difficulty
breathing and had an elevated temperature and white blood cell count (WBC).
Claforan IV was ordered to treat pneumonia. Her weight had increased by 6 pounds
in the 5 days preceding admission and she had significant swelling in her lower
extremities. Mrs. Bagent was receiving IV furosemide (Lasix) twice a day. She
became very short of breath while ambulating to the bathroom. To promote rest, an
indwelling urinary catheter was inserted. During the last 24 hours her condition
deteriorated and she was transferred to the intensive care unit (ICU).
1. Define shock. Discuss the potential causes of septic shock; and state at least 3
risk factors for developing septic shock
Shock can best be defined as a condition in which wide-spread perfusion to the cells
is inadequate to deliver oxygen and nutrients to support vital organs and cellular
function (VonRueden, Bolton & Vary, 2008). Adequate blood flow to the tissues and
cells requires an adequate cardiac pump, effective vasculature or circulatory system,
and sufficient blood volume. If one of these components is impaired, perfusion to the
tissues is threatened or compromised. Without treatment, inadequate blood flow to
the cells results in poor delivery of oxygen and nutrients, cellular hypoxia, and cell
death that progresses to organ dysfunction and eventually death.
3 risk factors for developing septic shock
o Heart conditions (heart attack, heart failure)
o Heavy internal or external bleeding, such as from a serious injury or rupture
of a blood vessel
o infection
2. Shock affects all body systems. Discuss the signs and symptoms shock produces
in the following systems:
respiratory
o compensatory stage:
>20 breaths per minute
PaCO2: <32 mmHg
o Progressive stage
rapid, shallow respirations, crackles
PaO2: <80mmHg
PaCO2: >45 mmHg
o Irreversible stage
Required intubation and mechanical ventilation and oxygenation
cardiovascular
o compensatory stage:
HR: >100 bpm
BP: Normal
o Progressive stage
HR: >150 bpm
BP: Systole: <80-90 mmHg (Requires fluid resuscitation to support
blood pressure
o Irreversible stage
Erratic or asystole
BP: requires mechanical or pharmacologic support
neurological
o compensatory stage:
confusion
o Progressive stage
lethargy
o Irreversible stage
Unconscious
hematological
o Progressive stage
imbalance of the clotting cascade
Elaborate on the specific considerations for Mrs. Bagent in regard to each system
3. The physician evaluating Mrs. Bagent asks the nurse what her pulse pressure is.
What is pulse pressure and why is it of concern?
Pulse pressure correlates well with stroke volume. Pulse pressure is calculated by
subtracting the diastolic measurement from the systolic measurement; the difference
is the pulse pressure (Cottingham, 2006). Normally, the pulse pressure is 30 to 40
mm Hg. Narrowing or decreased pulse pressure is an earlier indicator of shock than
a drop in systolic BP. Decreased or narrowing pulse pressure, an early indication of
decreased stroke volume, is illustrated in the following example:
Dopamine is given to improve the patient's hemodynamic stability when fluid therapy
alone cannot maintain adequate Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP). It helps to increase
the strength of myocardial contractility, regulate the heart rate, reduce myocardial
resistance, and initiate vasoconstriction. Vital signs must be monitored frequently (at
least every 15 min- utes until stable, or more often if indicated). Dopamine should be
administered through a central venous line, because infiltration and extravasation of
some vasoactive medications can cause tissue necrosis and sloughing. An IV pump
or controller should be used to ensure that the medications are delivered safely and
accurately. Dosages of vasoactive medications should be tapered, and the patient
should be weaned from medication with frequent monitoring of BP (every 15
minutes).
Part B: The physician orders Dopamine 8 mcg/ kg/minute. The pharmacy brings the nurse
a bag of Dopamine 800 mg in 500 mL of 0.9% NaCl. Mrs. Bagent's weight is 135 pounds. At
what rate should the nurse program the IV pump to run (mL/hr)?
(See explanation)
6. Mrs. Bagent's urine output is being monitored every hour. Her last hourly urine
output (UO) was 18 mL. What is a goal UO? Discuss why her UO is low.
The normal Urine Output (UO) is 30-60mL/ hr. and the goal is that UO will not be
less than 30mL/hr. When the MAP falls below 70 mm Hg, the glomerular filtration
rate of the kidneys cannot be maintained, and drastic changes in renal function
occur. Acute renal failure (ARF) may develop. ARF is characterized by an increase
in blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine levels, fluid and electrolyte shifts,
acid-base imbalances, and a loss of the renal-hormonal regulation of BP. Urinary
output usually decreases to less than 0.5 mL/kg/h (or less than 30 mL/h) but may
vary depending on the phase of ARF.
8. Nutritional support is very important for Mrs. Bagent. Discuss why a dietician
consult is a priority and why nutritional support should occur as soon as possible
Nutritional support is an important aspect of care for patients with shock. Increased
metabolic rates during shock increase energy requirements and therefore caloric
requirements. Patients in shock may require more than 3000 calories daily. The
release of catecholamines early in the shock continuum causes depletion of
glycogen stores in about 8 to 10 hours. Nutritional energy requirements are then met
by breaking down lean body mass. In this catabolic process, skeletal muscle mass is
broken down even when the patient has large stores of fat or adipose tissue. Loss of
skeletal muscle greatly prolongs the patient's recovery time.
Parenteral or enteral nutritional support should be initiated as soon as possible.
Enteral nutrition is preferred, promoting GI function through direct exposure to
nutrients and limiting infectious complications associated with par- enteral feeding
(Vincent, 2007). In addition, glutamine (an essential amino acid during stress), which
may be administered in enteral formulas, is important in the immunologic function of
the GI tract, providing a fuel source for lymphocytes and macrophages (Stapleton, et
al., 2007).
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