In palpating a patient's feet and hands, you note extreme coolness to the touch. This finding is most consistent with which of the following?
a. Presence of a disorder causing chronic hypoxemia
b. Reduction in venous return to the right side of the heart
c. Peripheral vasoconstriction due to inade-quate perfusion
d. Presence of a disorder causing systemic hypertension
ANS: C
When perfusion is poor (as in heart failure or shock), the compensatory vasoconstriction in the extremities helps shunt blood to the vital organs. This reduction in peripheral perfusion causes the extremities to become cool to the touch. The extent to which the coolness to touch extends to-ward the body is an indication of the degree of circulatory failure.
You might also like to view...
The secondary affected channels are those channels that are _____________
a. closest to the area of pain b. affected by compensation c. distant from the pain but have just as much pain d. None of the above
Which of the following is normal in patients with pernicious anemia (PA)?
a. Trypsin levels b. Intrinsic factor (IF) c. Stomach acid d. Absorption of vitamin B12
Standard Precautions is a set of CDC guidelines designed to protect patients and health care workers by regarding all patients and body substances as potentially ____________________.
Fill in the blank(s) with the appropriate word(s).
A __________ results from the movement of the bone out of its normal position in a joint.
A. simple fracture B. comminuted fracture C. dislocation D. compound dislocation