Case Study: Monitoring Vital
Signs in a Postoperative
Patient
Patient Background: Harold is a 55-year-old male who
underwent an emergency open cholecystectomy (gallbladder
removal) earlier in the day. The patient has a history of
hypertension and sleep apnea but is otherwise healthy. He is
alert and oriented times three. You are the night nurse assigned
to Harold’s care including monitoring his vital signs. At 20:00,
you check the PCT’s most recent set of vital signs in the
electronic medical record:
T: 100.2°F (37.9°C); oral
P: 88; radial; regular; +2
Signs in a Postoperative
Patient
Patient Background: Harold is a 55-year-old male who
underwent an emergency open cholecystectomy (gallbladder
removal) earlier in the day. The patient has a history of
hypertension and sleep apnea but is otherwise healthy. He is
alert and oriented times three. You are the night nurse assigned
to Harold’s care including monitoring his vital signs. At 20:00,
you check the PCT’s most recent set of vital signs in the
electronic medical record:
T: 100.2°F (37.9°C); oral
P: 88; radial; regular; +2
