Practice Question
A nurse is assessing a client who has a spinal cord injury. Which of the following assessment findings should the nurse expect with neurogenic shock? (Selectall that apply.)
Answer Choices:
Correct Answer:
Heart rate 54/min
Rationale:
✅ Heart rate 54/min
💓 Bradycardia is a hallmark sign of neurogenic shock due to the sudden loss of sympathetic nervous system stimulation following a spinal cord injury, especially if it occurs above the level of T6.
💓 The parasympathetic nervous system remains unopposed, primarily through the vagus nerve, resulting in a decrease in heart rate.
💓 Unlike other forms of shock (which typically involve tachycardia), neurogenic shock is unique for presenting with bradycardia due to this autonomic imbalance.
💓 Persistent bradycardia can further reduce cardiac output and worsen tissue perfusion, requiring close monitoring and possibly intervention such as atropine or pacing.
✅ Temperature 36.3° C (97.4° F)
🌡️ Hypothermia or borderline low temperatures are expected in neurogenic shock due to the inability to regulate vasodilation and constriction.
🌡️ The injury disrupts the body's thermoregulatory control, leading to uncontrolled heat loss through dilated peripheral vessels, especially in cooler environments.
🌡️ The client may feel cool to the touch, and shivering is often absent due to the neurological impairment, making external warming measures necessary.
🌡️ Maintaining normothermia is critical, as further temperature drops can worsen bradycardia and decrease perfusion.
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This question is from Custom-N202 Exam 2~2025 which contains 98 questions.
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Question Details
- Category: RN Nursing Exam(s)
- Subcategory: ATI Exam(s)
- Domain: RN Custom Exam(s)
- Answer Choices: 5