Final answer:
The patient's high heart rate and low blood pressure suggest they may be experiencing hypovolemic shock, likely reflecting an approximate loss of 25% of total blood volume due to GI bleeding.
Step-by-step explanation:
A patient presenting with a diagnosis of GI bleeding, a heart rate of 140 beats per minute, and a blood pressure of 84/44 mm Hg may be exhibiting signs consistent with hypovolemic shock. This condition is typically triggered by a significant loss of blood volume, which could result from severe internal bleeding or hemorrhage. The patient's increased heart rate is a compensatory mechanism to maintain cardiac output despite the reduced blood volume, while the low blood pressure reflects the decreased circulating volume.
The correct answer is b. approximately 25% loss of total blood volume. This is in line with the physiological response described, where the body has yet to restore blood volume, either through physiological processes or medical intervention, indicating that the patient may have lost a significant amount of blood.
c. resolution of hypovolemic shock is incorrect as the symptoms show a classic presentation of ongoing shock, not resolution. Similarly, d. increased blood flow to the skin, lungs, and liver is not indicated by the vitals mentioned. As a measure of caution and to closely monitor the patient's status, a. a need for hourly vital signs might be implemented, but this does not describe the state the patient's vitals are indicating.