A nurse is caring for a client admitted 6 hours ago with fractures of the left 7th, 8th, and 9th ribs following a motor vehicle crash. The client's admission vital signs were blood pressure 132/74 mmHg, heart rate 78 beats/min, and respiratory rate 16 breaths/min. Which current assessment finding is the highest priority for the nurse to report to the healthcare provider?
- AArterial blood gas results showing pH 7.33, PaCO 47 mmHg, and HCO 24 mEq/L
- BDiminished breath sounds auscultated over the left lower lung lobe
- Blood pressure 114/86 mmHg and heart rate 96 beats/minCevap
- DClient reports sharp chest pain rated 7 out of 10 that worsens with deep inspiration
Cevap
The vital sign changes demonstrating a narrowing pulse pressure (from 58 mmHg to 28 mmHg) and increasing heart rate.
The left 7th, 8th, and 9th ribs protect the spleen. Fractures in this area put the client at high risk for splenic rupture and internal hemorrhage. In the early (compensatory) stage of hypovolemic shock, sympathetic nervous system activation causes peripheral vasoconstriction, which raises the diastolic blood pressure, while decreased stroke volume lowers the systolic blood pressure. This results in a narrowed pulse pressure (from a baseline of 58 mmHg down to 28 mmHg). A narrowing pulse pressure accompanied by a rising heart rate is a subtle but critical early indicator of hemorrhagic shock, requiring immediate intervention before frank hypotension develops.
Adım Adım Çözüm
Anahtar Kavram
Recognition of early, compensatory hypovolemic shock (narrowing pulse pressure) following high-risk traumatic injury.