Question

A patient is admitted to the ICU after sustaining a concussion and blunt abdominal trauma to the right upper quadrant in a domestic dispute. The patient's vital signs are BP 145/86 mm Hg, pulse 86 beats/min, respiration 15 breaths/min, and temperature 98.8° F. The nurse is monitoring the patient's bowel sounds, abdominal tenderness, and abdominal girth frequently. Which of the following laboratory parameters is especially important for the nurse to closely monitor for bleeding in this patient?

A. Platelet count
B. Protime
C.Hematocrit
D. Mean corpuscular volume

Answer 1

Hematocrit is the key laboratory parameter to monitor for bleeding in a patient with abdominal trauma, as it indicates changes in blood volume and red blood cell levels, which are critical in assessing acute bleeding.

Step-by-step explanation:

The laboratory parameter that is especially important for the nurse to closely monitor for bleeding in a patient with a concussion and blunt abdominal trauma to the right upper quadrant is C. Hematocrit. Hematocrit represents the percentage of the volume of whole blood that is made up of red blood cells. Monitoring hematocrit levels can give critical information about the patient's blood volume and can be a significant indicator of active bleeding when levels drop, as this suggests a loss of red blood cells from the circulatory system. It is more immediately reflective of acute changes in blood volume compared to the other options listed, such as platelet count, protime, or mean corpuscular volume.