You are a nurse working in the medical ICU and take the following report from the emergency department (ED) nurse: "We have a pa
tient for you; R.L is an 81 year old frail woman, who had been admitted in the nursing home. Her primary diagnoses were found to have Sepsis, pneumonia and dehydration. She was also diagnosed for stage Ill right hip pressure ulcer. She was admitted in the emergency department (ED). Past medical history includes remote cerebrovascular accident with residual right-sided weakness and paresthesia, remote myocardial infarction, and peripheral vascular disease. Her vital signs are 98/62, 88 and regular, 38 and labored, 100.4° F (38° C). Lab work is pending; she has oxygen at 10 L via face mask, an IV of D5.45NS at 100 mL/hr, and an indwelling Foley. The infectious disease doctor has been notified, and respiratory therapy is with the patient—they are just leaving the ED and should arrive shortly. Required:
a. Knowing that R.L. is frail, has right-sided weakness, and a pressure ulcer, what consults would you initiate?
b. As you conduct a skin assessment, what areas of R.L.'s body will you pay particular attention to?
