A nurse is caring for a 24-year-old female client who fell while horseback riding in the accident emergency unit. Exhibits A nurse is preparing the client for surgery. Based on the provided data, which of the following are the most critical to address before proceeding with the exploratory laparotomy? Select all that apply.
Explanation & Rationale
Choice A rationale: Hemoglobin of 9.3 g/dL indicates that the client has anemia, likely due to blood loss from the injury. This low hemoglobin level suggests significant bleeding, which needs to be addressed to ensure adequate oxygen delivery to tissues during surgery. Choice B rationale: Prothrombin time of 11.5 seconds is within the normal range and does not indicate a critical issue that needs to be addressed before surgery. It suggests that the client's blood clotting mechanism is functioning properly. Choice C rationale: Blood pressure of 90/48 mm Hg indicates hypotension, which is a sign of shock or significant blood loss. It is critical to stabilize the client's blood pressure to ensure adequate perfusion to vital organs during surgery. Choice D rationale: Heart rate of 110 beats/minute is elevated, which may be a response to pain, anxiety, or hypovolemia. While it is important to monitor, it is not as critical as addressing the hypotension and anemia before surgery. Choice E rationale: Abdominal distention indicates potential internal bleeding or injury to abdominal organs. This needs to be addressed urgently, as it can lead to further complications and affect the outcome of the surgery.