A patient who experienced a gastric hemorrhage has had the bleeding controlled. The patient's condition is now stable. The nurse caring for this patient should have as her priority frequent assessment of the patient for what?
A) Tachycardia, hypotension, and tachypnea
B) Tarry, foul-smelling stools
C) "Coffee ground" material in nasogastric tube drainage
D) Irritation of the nares and nasal mucosa
Ans: A
Feedback: Tachycardia, hypotension, and tachypnea are signs of recurrent bleeding. Patients who have had one GI bleed are at risk for reoccurrence. Tarry stools and presence of coffee ground material in drainage are expected findings after a hemorrhage. The NG tube may be associated with nasal irritation. While this is an important concern related to patient comfort, it is not a nursing priority.
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