A 28-year-old foundation doctor is asked to review a postoperative patient who is more short of breath, tachycardic and hypotensive compared with earl...

Question

A 28-year-old foundation doctor is asked to review a postoperative patient who is more short of breath, tachycardic and hypotensive compared with earlier observations. NEWS2 has risen from 2 to 6 over 4 hours. What is the most appropriate immediate response?

Accepted Answer

Perform a full ABCDE assessment, repeat observations, and escalate urgently to a senior doctor or outreach team

Answer

Ask the nurse to repeat observations in 6 hours

Answer

Prescribe an anxiolytic as the patient seems anxious

Answer

Document 'likely postoperative fluid shift' and review tomorrow

Answer

Phone the GP for advice

uk-plab-1 MCQ (SBA): Deteriorating postoperative patient

A 28-year-old foundation doctor is asked to review a postoperative patient who is more short of breath, tachycardic and hypotensive compared with earlier observations. NEWS2 has risen from 2 to 6 over 4 hours. What is the most appropriate immediate response?