Free BCEN Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) Practice Question

A patient with a history of alcoholism and liver cirrhosis presents to the ED with diffuse abdominal pain, rigidity, and rebound tenderness. Labs show elevated WBC count and a lactate of 4 mmol/L. The patient has hypotension and tachycardia despite fluid resuscitation. Which immediate intervention is MOST appropriate for this patient?

  • Administer intramuscular analgesics for pain relief.

  • Perform an immediate diagnostic paracentesis.

  • Start the patient on oral lactulose for hepatic encephalopathy.

  • Initiate broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotics.

This question's topic:
BCEN Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) / 
Gastrointestinal, Genitourinary, Gynecology, and Obstetrical
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