Patient Introduction

A 52-year-old patient has just arrived in the Emergency Department with complaints of severe abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting over the last few days. His abdomen is distended. He has poor skin turgor and dry mucous membranes. He has not urinated since yesterday. He has felt “dizzy” and “weak” all evening. He thought it might be the flu, but decided to come in because the stomach pains were getting worse. He has signed informed consent for treatment and labs have been drawn.