Question

The nurse is assessing a patient who is severely bleeding and at risk for hypovolemic shock. what can the nurse anticipate?

O slow, labored breathing
O hot, flushed skin
O edematous extremities
O weak, thready pulse

Answer 1

A nurse can anticipate a weak, thready pulse, rapid, shallow breathing, and cool, clammy skin in a patient with severe bleeding who is at risk for hypovolemic shock. These symptoms are due to the significant loss of blood volume affecting circulation. Therefore, the correct option is d.

Step-by-step explanation:

Assessing a patient who is severely bleeding and at risk for hypovolemic shock, a nurse can anticipate certain clinical signs. One of the most common manifestations is a weak, thready pulse, due to the reduced volume and pressure of the blood circulating through the body. Because of the significant loss of fluids, a patient's extremities may be cool and the skin might appear pale and clammy, not hot and flushed.

Additionally, the patient may exhibit rapid, shallow breathing, and there might be signs of mental confusion due to decreased perfusion to the brain. In hypovolemic shock, the body tries to maintain blood flow to vital organs, so extremities might not appear edematous. The priority in managing hypovolemic shock is to stop the source of the bleeding and provide intravenous fluids to increase blood volume, along with medications to support blood pressure and heart function if necessary.