Question

A client in the intensive care unit has a blood pressure of 87/39 mm Hg and has warm, flushed skin accompanying his sudden decline in level of consciousness. The client also has arterial and venous dilatation and a decrease in systemic vascular resistance. What is this client’s most likely diagnosis?

Answer 1

When blood vessels dilate, the blood flow is increased due to a decrease in vascular resistance. Therefore, dilation of arteries and arterioles leads to an immediate decrease in arterial blood pressure and heart rate. Cardiac output is the amount of blood ejected by the left ventricle in one minute.

Step-by-step explanation: