An emergency medical services team transports a 42-year-old male construction worker to the trauma center after he fell approximately () from a scaffold. On arrival, the patient is confused and complains of severe left-sided abdominal pain and chest wall tenderness. His airway is patent. Initial vital signs demonstrate a temperature of (), heart rate of , respiratory rate of , and blood pressure of . Symmetrical breath sounds are auscultated bilaterally. He receives a rapid intravenous infusion of of warmed crystalloid solution and of uncrossmatched type O-negative packed red blood cells. Fifteen minutes later, his blood pressure improves to and heart rate decreases to . However, during the secondary survey, he becomes progressively more lethargic. Repeat vital signs show a heart rate of and a blood pressure of . An extended focused assessment with sonography for trauma (E-FAST) reveals a large anechoic collection in the splenorenal recess and no evidence of pneumothorax. Pelvic radiography shows no fractures. Arterial blood gas analysis on room air reveals a pH of , of , and calculated bicarbonate of . Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in the management of this patient?
- Exploration of the peritoneal cavity in the operating roomCevap
- BCross-sectional imaging of the abdomen and pelvis with intravenous contrast
- CIntravenous infusion of sodium bicarbonate to correct the acid-base derangement
- DGastrointestinal decompression with a nasogastric tube and serial clinical observations
- EEmpiric administration of broad-spectrum intravenous antimicrobial therapy