The critical care nurse receives a report from the emergency department of a patient to be admitted to the unit. Mr. G. is a 47-yearold man with a week-long history of severe abdominal pain that worsens with food intake.The pain is associated with nausea and vomiting. Mr. G. is oriented to person and place; however, he is disoriented to day and time and is described as “lethargic.” A nasogastric tube and Foley catheter were placed and intravenous access was established in the emergency department.
Vital signs include the following: heart rate, 110 beats per minute; respirations, 30 breaths per minute; blood pressure, 104/56 mm Hg; and temperature, 38° C. Laboratory values include the following: white blood cell count, 19,000/microliter; hematocrit, 38%; sodium, 148 mEq/L; potassium, 4.0 mEq/L; chloride, 114 mEq/L; blood urea nitrogen, 25 mg/dL; creatinine, 1.0 mg/dL; glucose, 180 mg/dL; amylase, 500 IU/L; and lipase, 600 IU/L.
Questions
1. What further data should the critical care nurse request from the nurse in the emergency department?
2. In addition to management of shock in Mr. G., what is another priority treatment?
3. What further assessment data would be valuable to the long-term management of this patient?