A patient is transferred to the intensive care unit after abdominal surgery. Vital signs are observed within 20 minutes of arrival. BP 90/58 mm Hg and SpO2 97% on a 40% air-entrainment mask. The patient's color is dusky. The respiratory therapist should
A. assess INR
B. check Hb level
C. administer anticoagulant therapy
D. institute volume ventilation
Answer: B. The low BP and dusky color after surgery is suggestive of anemia and possible internal hemorrhaging, likely a problem that developed as a result of the surgery. An Hb check will definitively determine if internal blood loss is occurring.
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