BCEN CEN Practice Question

This patient presents with signs and symptoms suggestive of acute abdominal pathology, likely appendicitis, that could be complicated by perforation given the severe pain, signs of shock, and leukocytosis with a left shift. While all options provided might be considered during management, the most immediate next step should be obtaining a surgical consultation, as this will direct the need for urgent operative intervention, which is critical in cases of suspected perforation. Intravenous fluid resuscitation should be initiated quickly to manage shock, but it would be secondary to ensuring surgical involvement. Abdominal CT imaging could help confirm the diagnosis but does not take precedence over surgical consultation in a potentially unstable patient. Antibiotic administration is also important but should follow after the patient has been evaluated for potential urgent surgical intervention.