Help! Which would come first:
Deficient fluid volume r/t frequent loose stools secondary to ulcerative colitis AEB bloody stools 8 - 10 x daily
OR
Chronic Pain R/t actual tissue damage secondary to ulcerative colitis AEB bloody stools, abdominal cramping
We think the Deficient fluid volume would be #1 but we were also told that pain is often the factor that leads the patient to hospitalization. In this case, because pain is chronic rather than acute, it should go second, right???
thanks,
bookworm1