Question

As a senior student you are assigned to work with a preceptor in

the Emergency Department. It is a very busy day and it seems as if
every patient, regardless of chief complaint, has an issue with
flui

Answer 1

The patient's low blood pressure, confusion, and thirst indicate hypovolemia, likely resulting from severe dehydration due to gastroenteritis, causing hypotension and compensatory symptoms.

Step-by-step explanation:

A patient presenting in the emergency department with a blood pressure of 70/45, confusion, and complaints of thirst is likely experiencing hypovolemia, a condition characterized by a decreased volume of blood plasma. This condition can lead to hypotension, which is indicated by the low blood pressure reading. The confusion and thirst are clinical signs that suggest the body is trying to compensate for the reduced blood volume and maintain adequate circulation to vital organs. The patient's history of recent travel and symptoms such as abdominal cramping and watery diarrhea suggest possible gastroenteritis, which can cause severe dehydration and electrolyte imbalance leading to a hypovolemic state.