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How do you position the following patients when experiencing shock?

a) Supine with legs elevated
b) Trendelenburg position
c) Semi-Fowler's position
d) Lateral recumbent position

User Vsnyc
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1 Answer

3 votes

Final answer:

Patients experiencing shock are commonly positioned supine with legs elevated to improve blood flow. Semi-Fowler's can assist with breathing, while the lateral recumbent position maintains an open airway for unconscious patients. Intravenous fluids and medications are used to treat hypovolemic shock. The correct option is A.

Step-by-step explanation:

When positioning patients who are experiencing shock, it is crucial to understand the type of shock and the specific condition of the patient. A common position for shock patients is supine with legs elevated, which can help improve blood flow to vital organs.

The Trendelenburg position, once popular, is now less used due to a lack of evidence for its effectiveness. The Semi-Fowler's position, where the patient is on their back with the upper body raised at an angle, can be beneficial for patients with difficulty breathing. The lateral recumbent position, or recovery position, helps maintain an open airway in an unconscious patient and prevent aspiration.

For hypovolemic shock, caused by severe fluid loss, the goal is to improve circulation and eventually tissue perfusion. Initial treatment includes providing intravenous fluids to restore blood volume and administering medications like dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine to raise blood pressure.

User Rishi Prakash
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