You Are Called to the Residence of a 78-Year-Old Widow

Multiple Choice

You are called to the residence of a 78-year-old widow who lives alone with no children.She was found by neighbors on the floor of the living room.She has fallen and fractured her left humerus.She is disoriented and responds to verbal stimuli only.She has a blood pressure of 78/40 and a pulse of 48.She has a history of high blood pressure and takes medication for it.She also takes medication for high cholesterol and a medication to slow down a fast heart rate.Emergency Medical Responders find the medication bottles in the medicine cabinet and they are empty.Your partner suspects that she accidentally overdosed on her medications.Do you agree or disagree?

A) Agree. The vital signs agree with this hypothesis.
B) Disagree. The patient's vital signs are related to her broken arm.
C) Agree. It is obvious that the broken arm is causing the decreased heart rate.
D) Disagree. The vital signs indicate that she has not taken her medication in several days.