A 27-year-old male with a T4 spinal cord injury presents to…
A 27-year-old male with a T4 spinal cord injury presents to the emergency department with a sudden onset of pounding headache, facial flushing, and a blood pressure of 198/110 mmHg. He appears anxious and diaphoretic above the level of injury, and reports feeling “strange.” He is currently using an indwelling urinary catheter. Clinical Findings: Heart rate: 54 bpm Respirations: 16/min Temperature: 98.9°F (37.2°C) Skin: Flushed upper body, cool lower extremities Urinary catheter tubing appears kinked Bowel sounds present, abdomen slightly distended Select all the actions the nurse should take