While assessing a patient with urosepsis, the ICU nurse notes the patient's BP is 80/54; HR 132; RR 24; and pulse oximetry 89% on 6 lpm O2

Question

Over the last hour, the patient's urine output is 15 mL. When explaining to a new graduate nurse, the nurse will emphasize that the patient's status may relate to that
A)
the infection is deep inside the kidney, and it will take a long time for the antibiotics to kill the bacteria.
B)
the patient's sympathetic nervous system has been stimulated that has resulted in vasoconstriction of the afferent arteriole, which causes a decrease in renal blood flow.
C)
the glomerular filtration system gets overwhelmed in times of stress (like infections) and can become clogged with waste material from the bacteria.
D)
the ability to transport substances from the tubular fluid into the peritubular capillaries becomes impaired, which results in fluid being forced out of capillaries into the glomerulus.

Answer 1

Ans:
B

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 zero.