In the event of a Boerhaave's tear, what should be monitored in the patient?

Prepare for the Critical Care Paramedic Test with our comprehensive guide. Use flashcards and multiple choice questions, each with hints and explanations to boost your readiness. Ace your exam!

In the context of a Boerhaave's tear, which is a rupture of the esophagus often due to severe vomiting or increased intrathoracic pressure, monitoring the coagulation profile is critical. This condition can lead to significant complications, including bleeding and sepsis, due to the leakage of esophageal contents into the mediastinum.

Monitoring the coagulation profile, including prothrombin time (PT), partial thromboplastin time (PTT), and international normalized ratio (INR), helps assess the patient's ability to clot effectively. An abnormal coagulation profile could indicate the need for interventions such as blood products before or during surgical repair, as the risk of hemorrhage is increased with a ruptured esophagus.

While monitoring blood glucose, electrolytes, and heart rate has its importance in overall patient management, they are not as directly related to the specific complications that arise from a Boerhaave's tear as the coagulation profile is. This profile is essential for guiding treatment and ensuring the patient's safety during the critical care process.

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