In the intensive care unit (ICU), the nurse is caring for a trauma client who has abdominal injuries is beginning to have a decrease in BP and increased pulse rate and is pale with diaphoretic skin

Question

The nurse is assessing the client for hemorrhagic shock. If the client is in shock, the nurse would expect to find:
A) Excess output of blood-tinged urine
B) Complaints of flank pain rotating around the abdominal muscles
C) Significant decrease in urine output due to decrease in renal blood flow
D) An increase in GFR due to relaxation of the afferent arterioles

Answer 1

Ans: C
Feedback:
During periods of strong sympathetic stimulation, such as shock, constriction of the afferent arteriole causes a marked decrease in renal blood flow and thus glomerular filtration pressure. Consequently, urine output can fall almost to 0. Unless the injury is specific to the kidney, the client will not have blood in urine and urine production will not be excessive. Flank pain is associated with obstruction due to stone formation. The GFR will decrease rather than increase.