A patient is diagnosed with septic shock and has a decrease in afterload.The nurse would expect which initial changes in the patient's cardiac status? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.
Select all that apply.
A)Increase in cardiac output
B)Increase in blood pressure
C)Decrease in cardiac output
D)Decrease in blood pressure
E)No change in blood pressure or cardiac output

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A decrease in afterload generally leads to an increase in cardiac output because the heart can pump more efficiently when there is less resistance in the blood vessels. However, in the context of septic shock, the systemic vasodilation that contributes to decreased afterload also leads to a decrease in blood pressure.

A Patient Is Diagnosed with Septic Shock and Has a Decrease