A patient with cirrhosis who has been vomiting blood is admitted to the emergency department. Which action should the nurse take first?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The nurse's first action should be to determine the patient's hemodynamic status by assessing vital signs. Drawing blood for coagulation studies and inserting an IV catheter also are appropriate. However, the vital signs may indicate the need for more urgent actions. Since aspiration is a concern for this patient, the nurse will need to assess the patient's vital signs and neurologic status before placing the patient in the supine position.

A Patient with Cirrhosis Who Has Been Vomiting Blood Is