The nurse is caring for a patient who experienced a gastric hemorrhage. The bleeding has been controlled, and his condition is now stable. The nurse's priority should be frequent assessment of the patient for which of the following?
A) Tachycardia, hypotension, and tachypnea
B) Tarry, foul smelling stools
C) "Coffee ground" material in the 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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