A 25-Year-Old Man Is Brought to the Emergency Department by His

A 25-year-old man is brought to the emergency department by his wife after vomiting at a party.  The patient admits to drinking 4 glasses of wine and some vodka and says he feels better now.  Temperature is 37.8 C (100 F) , blood pressure is 100/50 mm Hg, pulse is 106/min, and respirations are 14/min.  Physical examination is remarkable for blood-tinged vomitus on the patient's shirt and shoes.  Abdominal examination reveals epigastric tenderness on palpation.  On mental status examination, the patient is alert, cooperative, and fully oriented.  Blood alcohol level is 70 mg/dL (0.07% blood alcohol content) .  The physician recommends laboratory evaluation, including complete blood count, comprehensive metabolic panel, amylase, and lipase.  The patient insists that he is fine and wants to go home.  Which of the following is the most appropriate course of action?

A) Ask the patient's wife for consent to proceed with laboratory evaluation
B) Discharge the patient with instructions to return to the hospital as needed
C) Do not allow the patient to leave the hospital due to elevated blood alcohol content
D) Explain the potential risks of leaving the hospital without further evaluation
E) Hold patient involuntarily due to imminent medical harm and elevated blood alcohol content

Correct Answer:

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