Question

Chanthavy Chhet, 46 y/o female admitted for dehydration and gastritis. She is accompanied by her uncle who speaks fluent English, but patient speaks little to no English and is a Cambodian native. The uncle suggests that nursing staff address the patient by CC. Family is concerned that she has not been eating or drinking. Her non-verbal communication indicates abdominal discomfort. Vital signs are: T: 99.4 F, 37.4 C, P:92, R:18, PaO2: 98%, BP: 102/82 sitting, BP: 90/64 standing

select appropriate concerns based on info: A) Dehydration and gastritis management
B) Language and communication barriers
C) Abnormal laboratory values
D) Vital signs and orthostatic changes

Answer 1

A patient with a blood pressure of 70/45, confusion, and thirst is likely suffering from dehydration, and immediate fluid resuscitation along with the treatment of underlying causes is crucial.

Step-by-step explanation:

Blood Pressure Concerns in Emergency Situations

When a patient arrives in the emergency department with a blood pressure of 70/45, appears confused, and complains of thirst, it is critical to consider possible underlying conditions such as dehydration, severe infection, or other causes of hypovolemic shock. This low blood pressure reading, known as hypotension, may indicate the body's inability to maintain blood flow to vital organs. Confusion and thirst are common symptoms of dehydration, which can be further aggravated by conditions causing severe fluid loss such as diarrhea, excessive vomiting, or bleeding.

The immediate concern should be to stabilize the patient, typically through fluid resuscitation to address the dehydration, and one must also identify and treat the underlying cause to prevent further decline. If this hypotensive state is due to shock, swift medical intervention is necessary to prevent organ failure and other serious complications.