Reference no: EM133718752

Question

Paul W., a 40-year-old patient with a history of diabetes is admitted to a medical-surgical unit of a community hospital. He is complaining of severe abdominal pain and vomiting. Paul is well known to the nurses on the unit because he is frequently hospitalized with hyperglycemia secondary to poor self-maintenance of his illness. Nurse A., who is assigned to admit the patient, tells the ED nurse that she is "well aware of his issues" and does not need much detail about this present admission. On admission to the unit, Paul is still complaining of abdominal pain and is vomiting a small amount of "coffee ground" material. He also has diminished bowel sounds on physical exam. Two hours after admission, he is sent to radiology for a repeat CT scan. After the scan, he is left unattended in the radiology corridor. During this time, he vomits and aspirates. A short time later, he is returned to the medical unit. The transporter brings the patient to his room, assists him to his bed and leaves. The primary RN is not aware that the patient has returned. An hour later, she finds him with gasping respirations and his pulse oxygenation level is 85%