A client is admitted to the emergency department with a suspected myocardial infarction. Which laboratory test should the nurse prioritize to confirm the diagnosis?

Choice A reason: Increasing carbohydrate intake may prevent hypoglycemia but does not address the root cause, such as excessive insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents. Reviewing medications identifies dosing issues, ensuring safer management of type 2 diabetes, making it the priority over dietary changes.

Choice B reason: Reviewing the medication regimen is critical, as hypoglycemia in type 2 diabetes often results from excessive insulin or sulfonylureas. Adjusting doses or timing with a provider prevents recurrent episodes, addressing the primary cause and ensuring safe glycemic control, making it the priority action.

Choice C reason: Monitoring blood glucose hourly is reactive and impractical long-term. It confirms hypoglycemia but does not prevent it. Reviewing medications addresses the cause, such as inappropriate dosing, making it more effective for managing recurrent hypoglycemia in type 2 diabetes.

Choice D reason: High-protein snacks stabilize blood glucose but are secondary to addressing medication-related hypoglycemia. Excessive insulin or oral agents are likely causes, so reviewing the regimen is prioritized to correct dosing, preventing recurrent episodes more effectively than dietary adjustments alone.

Choice A reason: Increasing iron-rich foods (e.g., red meat, spinach) corrects anemia by boosting hemoglobin synthesis, as iron is essential for red blood cell production. This addresses the underlying deficiency, improving oxygen transport, making it the priority dietary recommendation for anemia management.

Choice B reason: Limiting vitamin C is incorrect, as it enhances iron absorption, aiding anemia correction. Iron-rich foods are the priority, as they directly supply the deficient nutrient, improving hemoglobin levels, making vitamin C restriction counterproductive to effective anemia treatment.

Choice C reason: Restricting green leafy vegetables, which are iron-rich, worsens anemia. These foods (e.g., spinach) provide dietary iron, essential for hemoglobin synthesis. Increasing iron intake is the priority, as it corrects the deficiency, making vegetable restriction inappropriate for anemia.

Choice D reason: Avoiding whole grains is irrelevant, as they provide nutrients supporting overall health. Iron-rich foods directly address anemia by supplying iron for red blood cell production, making them the priority dietary recommendation over grain restrictions, which do not impact anemia correction.