Cardiogenic shock
NCLEX-RN glossary · Physiological Adaptation
Definition
A state of profound circulatory failure where the heart is unable to pump sufficient blood to meet tissue oxygen demands.
Cardiogenic shock in plain English
The RN must prioritize actions that optimize cardiac contractility and reduce cardiac workload to prevent irreversible organ failure. A common mistake is administering aggressive fluid boluses as a first-line intervention, which may worsen pulmonary edema in the failing heart.
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