This is what you find...
The patient was hypotensive in recovery, and was given a fluid bolus and some metaraminol before being sent to the ward. On arrival the the systolic BP was 100, and it has been slowly falling.
The patient is drowsy but rousable, and is slightly confused.
She looks pale, is cool and clammy to touch, and is mildly tachypnoeic and tachycardic. She has a dry mouth and the neck veins are flat.
The chest is clear but the abdomen is firm, tender and mildly distended.
There is blood in the drains, and minimal urine in the catheter bag.
Reviewing the chart, you find that she is normally hypertensive, pre-op BP 150/90, and is normally on three antihypertensives that were witheld this morning. She is also on aspirin and some herbal medications.
The operation report notes that there was some difficulty inserting one of the laparoscopic ports.
