A client in the recovery room following a procedure is unable to void, so the nurse obtains a prescription to perform a straight catheterization. After inserting the catheter, the nurse observes that the client has an immediate output of 500 mL of clear yellow urine. Which action should the nurse implement next?

Choice A reason: Notifying the healthcare provider is an important action, but not the first one. The nurse should prioritize interventions that address the client's immediate needs, such as oxygenation and circulation.

Choice B reason: Preparing a continuous heparin infusion per protocol is an appropriate action for preventing further clot formation and reducing the risk of recurrent pulmonary embolism, but it is not the first action. The nurse should first stabilize the client's condition before administering anticoagulant therapy.

Choice D reason: Bringing the emergency crash cart to the bedside is a prudent action, but not the first one. The nurse should prepare for possible cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in case of cardiac arrest, but should first attempt to prevent it by providing oxygen and other supportive measures.

Choice A reason: Scheduling the child for a STAT magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the neck is not a priority action for the nurse. MRI is a diagnostic test that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce images of the internal structures of the body. MRI of the neck may be useful to rule out other causes of respiratory distress, such as tumors, abscesses, or foreign bodies, but it is not an urgent procedure. Moreover, MRI requires the child to lie still for a long time, which may be difficult or impossible for a child who is anxious and in respiratory distress.

Choice B reason: Providing a nebulizer treatment with bronchodilators is not a suitable action for the nurse. Nebulizer is a device that delivers medication in the form of a mist that can be inhaled into the lungs. Bronchodilators are medications that relax the smooth muscles of the airways and improve airflow. Nebulizer treatment with bronchodilators may be helpful for children with respiratory distress caused by asthma, bronchiolitis, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, but not for children with respiratory distress caused by upper airway obstruction, which is the most likely scenario for this child.

Choice C reason: Obtaining bedside trays for intubation or tracheotomy by the healthcare provider is the most appropriate action for the nurse. Intubation is a procedure that involves inserting a tube through the mouth or nose into the trachea to secure the airway and provide ventilation. Tracheotomy is a surgical procedure that involves creating an opening in the neck and inserting a tube into the trachea to bypass the upper airway obstruction. Both procedures are life-saving interventions for children with respiratory distress caused by upper airway obstruction, which is the most likely scenario for this child. The nurse should prepare the necessary equipment and assist the healthcare provider in performing these procedures.

Choice D reason: Beginning prescribed intravenous antibiotic administration is not a relevant action for the nurse. Antibiotics are medications that kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria that cause infections. Antibiotics may be indicated for children with respiratory distress caused by bacterial infections, such as pneumonia, tonsillitis, or epiglottitis, but not for children with respiratory distress caused by non-infectious causes, such as foreign bodies, anaphylaxis, or congenital anomalies. Moreover, antibiotics are not an immediate intervention for respiratory distress, as they take time to exert their effects.