1 .
The nurse is caring for a patient who was recently admitted from the emergency department after involvement in a motor vehicle accident. The patient sustained a crush injury to her pelvis, a mild concussion, and several extremity contusions. The patient’s blood pressure is 94/74 mm Hg, heart rate is 120 bpm, respiratory rate is 26 breaths/min, and SpO
2
is 90 percent on room air. What additional assessment data can the nurse obtain to assist in determining what is most likely causing this patient’s altered vital signs?