Question

The first priority for care of the patient with upper GI bleeding is to

a) Administer pain medication
b) Assess vital signs
c) Start intravenous (IV) fluids
d) Perform a physical examination

Answer 1

The initial step in managing a patient with upper GI bleeding is to assess vital signs, crucial for evaluating the patient's condition and planning further treatment, such as IV fluids resuscitation.

Step-by-step explanation:

The first priority for care of the patient with upper GI bleeding is to assess vital signs. It is critical to determine the patient's hemodynamic status as this can indicate the severity of the bleeding and guide the urgency and order of subsequent interventions. Assessing vital signs helps in deciding whether the patient requires immediate resuscitation with intravenous (IV) fluids or blood products, and in monitoring for signs of ongoing bleeding or shock.

At the hospital, Carli's doctor considered the underlying causes of her severe gastrointestinal distress, which could be related to the upper GI bleeding.