An otherwise healthy 45-year-old female patient presents to the emergency department with sudden onset of severe lower abdominal pain, localized to the right ileac fossa. She exhibits signs of shock with tachycardia and hypotension but has no history of co-morbidities or previous surgeries. Laboratory results show leukocytosis with a left shift. The patient’s pain worsens with coughing. Which of the following should the emergency nurse anticipate as the most IMMEDIATE next step in management for this patient?
Administering broad-spectrum antibiotics
Obtaining a surgical consultation
Initiating intravenous fluid resuscitation
Ordering an abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan