Question

A 34-year-old woman with a history of gastric ulcer vomits a large volume of blood and is rushed to the emergency department by her husband. On speaking to the husband, the physician estimates that she has lost about 700 mL of blood. The patient’s skin is cool, moist, and pale. The patient is given intravenous Hartmann’s solution which stabilizes her cardiovascular system.

A. Explain the physiological changes in central venous pressure and cardiac output when the patient is seen in the emergency department. (50-word limit; 2 marks)

B. If the patient is given an inotropic drug following the administration of intravenous
fluid, how would the drug affect the central venous pressure and ventricular end systolic volume?
(80-word limit; 4 marks)

Answer 1