MRCP2-3887

MRCP2-3887

A 72 year old woman with a history of type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and previous myocardial infarction arrives at the Emergency Department complaining of abdominal pain and profuse diarrhea for the past two days, which has turned bloody in the last 24 hours. Her vital signs are as follows: temperature of 37.2º, heart rate of 102 beats per minute, and blood pressure of 106/74 mmHg. Upon examination, her heart sounds are normal, chest is clear, and she has a diffusely tender abdomen.

Lab results show a hemoglobin level of 10.4 g/dl, platelets at 64 * 109/l, WBC at 14.2 * 109/l, urea at 10 mmol/l, creatinine at 154 µmol/l, bilirubin at 56 µmol/l, and CRP at 125 mg/l. A blood film reveals fragmented red blood cells. Based on the likely diagnosis, what is the most appropriate course of action for this patient?