Examkin

Question

Difficulty: Very hardPhysiological Adaptation

A client who sustained a massive anterior wall myocardial infarction 48 hours ago suddenly develops severe dyspnea, diaphoresis, and a cough producing frothy, pink-tinged sputum. Auscultation reveals coarse crackles throughout all lung fields. Current vital signs are: heart rate 132 beats/min, blood pressure 82/54 mm Hg, and respiratory rate 36 breaths/min. Arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis on room air indicates a pH of 7.22, PaCO2 of 64 mm Hg, HCO3 of 24 mEq/L, and PaO2 of 52 mm Hg. Which of the following is the most appropriate initial nursing action?

  1. A
    Administer prescribed intravenous sodium bicarbonate to rapidly correct the profound acidemia.
  2. Apply a prescribed noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) device.Answer
  3. C
    Prepare to administer a rapid intravenous bolus of an isotonic crystalloid solution.
  4. D
    Assist the client into a modified Trendelenburg position to increase venous return to the heart.

Answer

The most appropriate initial action is to apply a prescribed noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) device.
The correct answer addresses the immediate life-threatening synthesis of acute respiratory failure and cardiogenic shock. Noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) improves oxygenation, decreases the profound work of breathing, and crucially increases intrathoracic pressure. This increased pressure beneficially reduces venous return (preload) to the failing left ventricle, which helps alleviate the pulmonary congestion driving the client's decompensation.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the underlying clinical syndrome based on the assessment data.
Severe dyspnea, frothy pink sputum, bilateral crackles, and hypotension in a recent post-MI client indicate cardiogenic shock complicated by acute pulmonary edema.
The damaged left ventricle cannot pump effectively forward, causing blood to back up into the pulmonary circulation and fluid to leak into the alveoli.
2
Analyze the arterial blood gas (ABG) results.
The ABG reveals uncompensated acute respiratory acidosis (pH 7.22, PaCO2 64) with severe hypoxemia (PaO2 52).
Fluid-filled alveoli severely impair gas exchange, leading to carbon dioxide retention and inadequate oxygen uptake.
3
Determine the physiological priority that addresses both the hemodynamic and respiratory collapse.
The client requires immediate intervention to force fluid out of the alveoli, improve oxygenation, and reduce the workload on the failing left ventricle.
Standard shock treatments (like fluids or positioning flat) will worsen this specific type of shock.
4
Select the appropriate intervention.
Applying a noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) device, such as CPAP or BiPAP, is the priority action.
Positive pressure stents the alveoli open, improves oxygenation, and increases intrathoracic pressure, which decreases venous return (preload), thereby reducing the strain on the heart.

Key Concept

Management of Cardiogenic Shock and Acute Pulmonary Edema
Rate this question

Topics

Physiological Adaptation

More questions from this topic