Bertha is an Indigenous elder who is recovering from abdominal surgery. She has been reviewed, and is permitted to mobilise to the shower for the first time. She gets up, and stands at the side of the...

Bertha is an Indigenous elder who is recovering from abdominal surgery. She has been reviewed, and is permitted to mobilise to the shower for the first time.



She gets up, and stands at the side of the bed. She immediately tells you that she “feels funny and all dizzy”. She looks pale.



You immediately help her to sit on the side of the bed and undertake vital signs assessment.


Her heart rate is 110 bpm and her blood pressure is 100/60 mmHg. She tells you she still feels dizzy and you help her back to bed.

In 500 words, explain why Bertha is showing a low blood pressure (she is normally 130/70) and elevated HR.
In your answer you should refer to the factors involved in the generation of blood pressure and how these may have been compromised resulting in Bertha’s presentation. You should discuss what compensatory mechanisms are evident in Bertha’s data and how these are contributing to maintaining her blood pressure.