A patient with ascites because of hepatic dysfunction has a sudden drop in blood pressure. Which of the following should the nurse suspect is occurring with this patient?
1. intestinal wall injury
2. improved liver function
3. effects of immobility
4. reduced oral intake
1
Rationale: A hypotensive episode is the most common cause of intestinal wall injury in the patient with ascites and hepatic dysfunction. The bowel wall loses integrity because of tissue ischemia or infarct. After the hypotensive event, the nurse should closely monitor the patient for signs of sepsis or spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. A sudden drop in pressure does not indicate improved liver functioning. There is not enough information to support that the drop in blood pressure is due to the effects of immobility or a reduced oral intake.
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