A client undergoing treatment for septic shock has a blood pressure of 82/54 mmHg, a heart rate of 120 beats per minute, and urine output of 10 mL/hour. The nurse notes the client’s extremities are cool and mottled. Which of the following actions is MOST appropriate to improve the client’s hemodynamics and tissue perfusion? Possible answers
Assess the extremities for additional perfusion changes.
Administer intravenous diuretics to improve urine output.
Administering intravenous crystalloid fluids is the most appropriate initial intervention for septic shock. Crystalloid fluids help restore intravascular volume, improving perfusion and cardiac output in the setting of sepsis-induced hypovolemia. Vasopressors are typically added after adequate fluid resuscitation if hypotension persists. Diuretics are contraindicated as they would further reduce circulating volume, worsening perfusion. Although assessing extremities for perfusion changes is important, it does not address the immediate problem of hypovolemia in this scenario.
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