After an episode of shock, a patient's laboratory results reveal elevated serum levels of ammonia and bilirubin and decreased plasma proteins and clotting factors. Which organ should the nurse recognize as being damaged from the shock?

a. Heart
b. Liver
c. Kidneys
d. Intestines


ANS: B
The liver may be injured both by ischemia and by toxins created by the shock state as blood is circulated through it for cleansing. Signs and symptoms of liver injury include decreased production of plasma proteins; abnormal clotting, because clotting factor production by the liver is impaired; and elevated serum levels of ammonia, bilirubin, and liver enzymes. A. C. D. Changes in ammonia, bilirubin, plasma proteins, and clotting factors are not associated with damage to the heart, kidneys, or intestines.

Nursing

You might also like to view...

A child is being discharged from the hospital after a pyloromyotomy. Which discharge instruction does the nurse provide for the parents?

A. Keep child NPO for 48 hours. B. Monitor the skin around the colostomy. C. No pain control should be needed. D. Report vomiting after 48 hours.

Nursing

What do the arteries in the umbilical cord carry?

a. Nutrients to the fetus from the placenta b. Oxygenated blood to perfuse the placenta c. Antibodies from the fetus to the mother d. Deoxygenated blood back to the placenta

Nursing

What information is most essential for a nurse to gather when interviewing a young woman who is taking the drug isotretinoin (Accutane) for acne?

a. Usual weight b. Family history of breast cancer c. Current method of birth control d. Drugs previously used

Nursing

The adolescent patient is in a drug rehabilitation program. The mother of this patient says to the nurse, "The doctor said my son has a physical addiction to alcohol. What does this mean?" What is the best response by the nurse?

1. "His brain remembers the euphoria he had with alcohol, and he has a craving to return to it." 2. "He will have an intense craving for alcohol; this is best managed in group therapy." 3. "His body is used to alcohol; he will have specific withdrawal symptoms when it is stopped." 4. "He will have feelings of depression when stopping alcohol; we need to monitor him for suicide."

Nursing