A client's blood pressure drops from 120/76 to 90/60 mm Hg as soon as positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) is initiated for the treatment of hypoxemia. What is the most likely cause of this decrease in blood pressure?

Decrease in cardiac output

Explanation:

Blood pressure may be defined as the pressure exerts by the artery on the walls during the blood flow. The systolic pressure is used for the calculation of the blood pressure.

The blood pressure depends upon the cardiac output, heart beats and rate of the blood flow. The cardiac output is the volume of blood pumped in the body per minute. The decrease in the cardiac output will ultimately results in the decrease in the blood pressure.

Thus, the correct answer is decrease in cardiac output.