The nurse identifies the collaborative problem of potential complication: hypovolemic shock related to loss of circulatory volume for a patient with bacterial peritonitis resulting from a ruptured appendix.The nurse recognizes that the major loss of circulating fluid volume occurs as a result of which of the following?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Extracellular fluid shift into the peritoneal cavity, also known as third spacing, is a major cause of hypovolemic shock in patients with bacterial peritonitis resulting from a ruptured appendix. This is because the peritoneal cavity fills with fluid, which is not available for circulation, leading to a decrease in circulating volume and subsequent hypovolemic shock. Nasogastric suctioning and drainage of excessive fluids from the appendix can also contribute to fluid loss but are not typically the primary causes of hypovolemic shock in these patients. Increased production of stress hormones may lead to vasoconstriction and increased heart rate, but it is not a significant contributor to hypovolemic shock in this context.

The Nurse Identifies the Collaborative Problem of Potential Complication: Hypovolemic