A patient involved in a motor vehicle accident was admitted to the intensive care unit with a closed-head injury
Which clinical manifestation would warn the nurse that the patient's condition was progressing to multiple organ dysfunction syndrome? 1. alteration in level of consciousness
2. urine output less than 400 ml/day
3. hypotension and dysrhythmias
4. decreased PaO2 with an increase in FiO2
4
Rationale: Decreased PaO2 with an increase in FiO2 is correct because the lungs are usually the first organs to show signs of dysfunction and is the main organ affected in multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. Alteration in level of consciousness is probably already present with the closed head injury, and it also can occur with hypoperfusion, microvascular coagulopathy, or cerebral ischemia and not necessarily progress to multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. Urine output less than 400 mL/day develops later in the course of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. Hypotension and dysrhythmias can occur with hypovolemia and hypoxia without progressing to multiple organ dysfunction syndrome.
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