An elderly male patient, who has been experiencing abdominal pain, is admitted to the hospital from a long-term care facility. He hasn’t had a bowel movement in 7 days, his abdomen is distended, and he recently vomited 150 mL of dark brown emesis. In what order should the nurse carry out the following interventions? Arrange from the highest to the lowest priority.

Choice C rationale The first step in managing a patient with abdominal pain and distention is to complete a focused assessment. This will help the nurse determine the severity of the patient’s condition and guide subsequent interventions. Choice A rationale Elevating the head of the bed can help reduce the risk of aspiration, especially in a patient who has recently vomited. This is particularly important in this case as the patient’s vomit is dark brown, indicating possible upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Choice B rationale Sending the emesis sample to the lab is important for determining the cause of the patient’s symptoms. The lab can analyze the sample for the presence of blood or other abnormalities. Choice D rationale Offering PRN pain medication is important for patient comfort. However, it should be done after the assessment and initial interventions have been completed. The medication may mask symptoms that could provide important diagnostic information.