Question

During the emergent phase of burn injury, primary interventions focus on correcting hypovolemic shock. The nurse is aware that hypovolemic shock after burn injury is the result of which of the following? A. Presence of serum albumin in the interstitial space B. Increased capillary permeability C. Erratic drainage of the lymphatic system D. Altered osmotic pressure in the blood vessels

Short answer

Answer: The cause of hypovolemic shock after a burn injury is increased capillary permeability.

Step-by-step solution

Understand Hypovolemic Shock

Hypovolemic shock is a life-threatening condition that occurs when a person loses more than 20% of their body's blood or fluid supply. This severe fluid loss makes it difficult for the heart to pump enough blood to the body, leading to organ failure and potentially death. In the case of burn injuries, fluid loss can be attributed to damaged blood vessels and capillaries, causing the body to lose fluids quickly.

Analyze the Options

We will consider each of the four options and determine their relation to hypovolemic shock: A. Presence of serum albumin in the interstitial space: Serum albumin is a protein found in the blood, and its presence in the interstitial space can lead to decreased blood volume, but it's not the primary cause of hypovolemic shock in burn injuries. B. Increased capillary permeability: This means that the capillaries are more permeable, allowing fluids and proteins to leak out of the blood vessels and into the surrounding tissue. This option seems to be relevant in terms of hypovolemic shock. C. Erratic drainage of the lymphatic system: The lymphatic system is responsible for draining fluid from the tissues. An erratic drainage could lead to edema (swelling), but it's not directly responsible for the hypovolemic shock observed in burn injuries. D. Altered osmotic pressure in the blood vessels: Osmotic pressure manages the balance of fluids in and out of the blood vessels. Changes in osmotic pressure could potentially lead to fluid shifts within the body but are unlikely to be the primary cause of hypovolemic shock in burn injuries.

Select the Correct Answer

Based on the analysis of the options, the correct answer for the cause of hypovolemic shock after a burn injury is: B. Increased capillary permeability This is because when capillary permeability increases due to burn injury, fluids and proteins leak from blood vessels faster than the body can replace them, leading to a severe decrease in blood volume and resulting in hypovolemic shock.