Question

Scenario: You are the off-going nurse who is about to give report on Mrs. Brock an 89 year old female admitted with pneumonia 4 days ago. She has no known allergies. Lungs sounds are decreased, weak non-productive cough is noted. Mrs. Brock complains of nausea and has vomited 3 episodes appx. 150ml of yellow emesis. She has voided 550ml clear yellow urine. Which information is the most important to include in your report?

What is your Rationale:

Answer 1

Yellow emesis indicates bile. Bile is produced by liver.and stored in gall bladder when an If an individual is vomiting on an empty stomach or is suffering from bile reflux  release of bile occurs .It can be due to bile refux or intestinal blockage. since the elderly is admitted with pneumonia might be having less oral intake which may be a reason.

Bile is not found in the stomach under normal circumstances, but if a condition where pyloric sphincter opening abnormally—allowing food from the small intestine and the stomach to mix—it can result in a gastric fluid combination that appears yellow, especially when vomited.

Since she has vomited 150 ml it should be reported as it cause dehydation and fluid electrolyte imbalance..the amount of water you need to replenish depends on how much is being lost. Dehydration is the most common fluid and electrolyte problem among the elderly. The usual causes of water loss are frequently absent in dehydrated elderly patients. Age-related changes in total body water, thirst perception, renal concentrating ability, and vasopressin effectiveness probably predispose to dehydration.

the recommendation for older adults is to consume at least 1.7 liters/day, which corresponds to at least 57.5 fluid ounces