A 38-year-old patient has just been admitted to the PACU following abdominal surgery. As the patient begins to awaken, he is restless and asking for "a drink of water." The nurse checks his skin and it is cold, moist, and pale
What is the nurse concerned the patient may be at risk for?
A) Hemorrhage and shock
B) Loss of airway and hypotension
C) Pain and anxiety
D) Hypertension and dysrhythmias
Ans: A
Feedback: Hemorrhage is a complication of surgery that can result in death; when blood loss is extreme, the patient usually presents apprehensive, restless, and thirsty; and the skin is cold, moist, and pale. Option B is incorrect; the patient is asking for "a drink of water" so loss of airway is unlikely, and there is no evidence provided in the question that is related to hypotension such as blood pressure. Options C and D are incorrect; there is no evidence based on the information provided in the question that the patient is in pain or having anxiety, hypertension, or dysrhythmias.
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