History: A 75-year-old woman has been confused 5 days post an emergency femoral hernia repair. The operation was straightforward and there are no complications from the surgery. Her past medical history includes osteoarthritis of her right knee, for which she is taking diclofenac. She is a non-smoker and drinks two units of alcohol per week. She lives on her own with no support from social services. Examination: She is disorientated in time, place and person. The physician notice that she is pale and tachypnoeic.
Her blood pressure is 90/70 mmHg with a pulse rate of 110/min. Her chest is clear with oxygen saturations of 97 per cent on air. On palpation of her abdomen, vague upper abdominal tenderness is noted. Bowel sounds are present and the urinalysis is clear. The wound site is clean and there is no evidence of a hematoma. Electrocardiogram shows sinus tachycardia. Other…
