Question

A patient is being treated for hemorrhagic shock secondary to multiple rib fractures and a lacerated liver. Two units of packed red blood cells have been administered. Which of these measurements is an indication the patient has received adequate volume replacement?

Choose 1 answer:
1- Oxygen saturation 90%
2- Decreased serum lactate
3- Increased serum creatinine
4- Decreased right atrial pressure

Answer 1

To determine if a patient has received adequate volume replacement in hemorrhagic shock, one should look for decreased serum lactate levels and decreased right atrial pressure.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a patient is being treated for hemorrhagic shock secondary to multiple rib fractures and a lacerated liver, adequate volume replacement is crucial. To determine if the patient has received adequate volume replacement, one measurement to look for is decreased serum lactate. Serum lactate levels can indicate tissue hypoperfusion and high lactate levels suggest inadequate volume replacement. A decrease in serum lactate would indicate that the patient's tissue perfusion has improved and they have received enough fluid.

Another measurement to consider is decreased right atrial pressure. Right atrial pressure reflects the preload of the heart, and a decrease in this pressure suggests that the patient's blood volume has been sufficiently replaced.