Question

An older adult male reporting abdominal pain is admitted to the hospital from a long-term care facility. It has been 7 days since his last bowel movement, his abdomen is distended, and he just vomited 150mL of dark brown emesis. In what order should the nurse implement these interventions? (Highest to lowest priority)

Answer 1

The nurse should prioritize the interventions for the patient in the following order: assessing vital signs, inserting a nasogastric tube, administering IV fluids, and obtaining a stool sample for analysis.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should prioritize the interventions for the patient in the following order:

1. Assess the patient's vital signs and overall condition. The nurse should check the patient's blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature to determine the severity of the situation and identify any signs of shock or organ failure.
2. Insert a nasogastric (NG) tube. To relieve the patient's abdominal distention and prevent further vomiting, the nurse should insert an NG tube to decompress the stomach and remove any accumulated gastric content.
3. Administer intravenous (IV) fluids. Since the patient is vomiting and likely dehydrated, it is important to provide fluids and electrolytes to restore hydration and maintain proper circulatory function.
4. Obtain and send a stool sample for analysis. To identify the cause of the patient's symptoms, the nurse should collect a stool sample for laboratory testing, which may help in diagnosing any underlying condition or infection.