Nursing Interventions: Abdominal Aneurysm

1. Allow the patient to express his fears and concerns about the diagnosis.
2. Offer the patient and his family psychological support.
3. Administered ordered medications to control aneurysm progression. Provide analgesics to relieve pain, if present.
4. Assess the patient’s vital signs, especially blood pressure, every 4 hours or more frequently, depending on the severity of his condition.
5. Evaluate kidney function by obtaining blood samples for blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, and electrolyte levels.
6. Measure the patients intake and output.
7. Monitor complete blood count for evidence of blood loss, reflected in decreased hemoglobin, hematocrit, and red blood cell count.
8. Observe the patient for signs of rupture, which may be immediately fatal.
9. Provide psychological support for the patient and his family.
10. Explain the surgical procedure and the expected postoperative care in the ICU for patients undergoing complex abdominal surgery.
11. Instruct the patient to take all medications as prescribed and carry a list of them at all times in case of emergency.