Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 80%
Full-length
Which of these clients, all of whom have the findings of a board-like abdomen, would the nurse suggest that the provider examine first?
Correct answer
A
Rationale
An elderly client who stated, 'My awful pain in my right side suddenly stopped about 3 hours ago.' This client has the highest risk for hypovolemic and septic shock since the appendix has most likely ruptured, based on the history of the pain suddenly stopping over three hours ago. Elderly clients have less functional reserve for the body to cope with shock and infection over long periods. The others are at risk for shock also, however given that they fall in younger age groups, they would more likely be able to tolerate an imbalance in circulation. A common complication of falling off a bicycle is hitting the handle bars in the upper abdomen often on the left, resulting in a ruptured spleen.