You are transferring a patient who is in the progressive stage of shock into ICU from your medical-surgical unit. You are aware that the shock affects many organ systems and that nursing management of the patient will focus on what?

Question

A) Reviewing the cause of shock and trying to limit the progression
B) Assessing and understanding shock and the significant changes in assessment data to guide the plan of care
C) Giving the prescribed treatment but shifting focus to providing family time as the patient is unlikely to survive
D) Giving progressive care to the patient and family using critical pathways for shock therapy

Answer 1

Ans: B
Feedback: Nursing care of patients in the progressive stage of shock requires expertise in assessing and understanding shock and the significance of changes in assessment data. Early interventions are essential to the survival of patients in shock; thus, suspecting that a patient may be in shock and reporting subtle changes in assessment are imperative. Option A is incorrect; reviewing the cause of shock and trying to limit the progression is important, but it must be followed by a plan of care. Option C is incorrect; it is important during the progressive of shock to give the prescribed treatment, but the patient still has a chance of survival; providing family time in important, but patient survival is still the priority. Option D is incorrect; giving progressive care to the patient and family is not defined, and using critical pathways for shock therapy sounds good, but there is no information in the stem of the question that indicates we are using a critical pathway. This answer is designed to distract the test-taker.