A 65-Year-Old Man Is Evaluated for Hypotension and Increasing Shortness

question 415

Multiple Choice

A 65-year-old man is evaluated for hypotension and increasing shortness of breath shortly after placement of a right-sided subclavian central venous catheter.  The patient was recently diagnosed with colon cancer without metastasis and is scheduled for surgical resection.  Blood pressure is 80/50 mm Hg, pulse is 110/min, and respirations are 24/min.  Examination shows jugular venous distension.  Breath sounds are decreased on the right and the trachea is deviated to the left.  Which of the following is the most likely cause of this patient's hypotension?

• A)Decreased intravascular volume
• B)Decreased systemic vascular resistance
• C)Decreased venous return
• D)Impaired baroreceptor reflex
• E)Increased intrapericardial pressure

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Definitions:

Emotional Response

A person's immediate and spontaneous reaction to a stimulus, which could be feelings of happiness, sadness, anger, or fear.

Facially Expressed

Pertaining to emotions, intentions, or communications conveyed through facial movements and expressions.

Brows Drawn

A facial expression where the eyebrows are pulled together, typically indicating worry, concentration, or anger.

Basic Emotions

Fundamental feelings such as happiness, sadness, fear, disgust, surprise, and anger that are universal among humans.