Nursing Interventions: Hypovolemic Shock

1. Check for patent airway and adequate circulation.
2. Begin an I.V. infusion with normal saline solution or lactated Ringer’s solution delivered through a large bore.
3. Help insert a central venous line and pulmonary artery catheter for  hemodynamic monitoring.
4. Insert an indwelling urinary catheter.
5. Draw an arterial blood sample to measure ABG levels.
6. Obtain and record the patient’s blood pressure, pulse and respiratory rates, and peripheral pulse rates.
7. Monitor the patient’s CVP, right arterial  pressure, pulmonary artery pressure, and cardiac output atleast hourly as ordered.
8. Measure the patient’s urine output hourly.
9. Monitor the patient’s ABG and electrolyte levels frequently as ordered.
10. Watch for signs of impending coagulopathy such as petechiae, bruising, bleeding or oozing from guns or venipuncture site.
11. Explain all procedures and their purposes to ease the patient’s anxiety.
12. Discuss the risk associated with blood transfusions to the patient and his family.