Question

Marilyn is at risk of hypovolaemia following her surgery. Outline the underlying pathophysiology of hypovolemia and identify three (3) pieces of assessment data that would alert you to the patient being hypovolemic.

Answer 1

1. PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF POST SURGICAL HYPOVOLEMIA

The progression is as follows:

• [Surgery causes fluid loss +
• Increase in DAMPs +
• Systemic inflammation and microvascular dysfunction +
• Low cardiac preload]

These factors along with the excretory loss of fluids, hypovolemia can develop in a post surgery patient.

2. The three assessment data that leads to suspect a patient of hypovolemia are

• oliguria: less or no urine
• cyanosis- bluish discoloration of skin due to hypoxia
• fatigue and clammy skin

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