Thinking Critically You arc caring for a patient who just returned to the surgical intensive care unit (SICU) from cardiac surgery. He was admitted to the hospital with mitral insufficiency and today...

Thinking Critically

You arc caring for a patient who just returned to the surgical intensive care unit (SICU) from cardiac surgery. He was admitted to the hospital with mitral insufficiency and today he had a St. Jude mechanical valve inserted into the mitral position. Your assessment includes:

What i1 the probable rea1on for hi1 hypotension and low CO/Cl?

(A) Hypervolemia

(B) Impaired myocardial contractility

(C) Hypovolemia

(D) Increased aftcrload

What interventions should be immediately initiated to improve his cardiac status?

(A) Dobutaminc to improve ventricular contractility

(B) Sodium nitroprussidc to reduce aftcrload

(C) Increase heart rate to 90 bcats/min

(D) Administer volume to increase preload