A mother rushes into the emergency department carrying her toddler who has been exposed to some cleaning products.

The child has a chemical smell on their hands, face, and clothes.
After ensuring the airway is patent, which action should the nurse take first?

Choice A rationale
Histamine H2-receptor antagonists, also known as H2 blockers, are medications that help reduce the production of gastric acid. They achieve this by blocking H2 receptors in the parietal cells of the stomach, which are responsible for secreting hydrochloric acid (HCl)12. This reduction in acid secretion can help treat conditions such as peptic ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, which are all conditions that can be exacerbated by excessive stomach acid.
Choice B rationale
While H2 blockers do help manage the symptoms of peptic ulcer disease, they do not directly destroy the microorganisms causing inflammation in the stomach. The primary cause of peptic ulcers is a bacterium called Helicobacter pylori, and the treatment for an H. pylori infection typically involves a combination of antibiotics and proton pump inhibitors, not H2 blockers.
Choice C rationale
H2 blockers do not neutralize hydrochloric acid (HCl) in the stomach. Instead, they work by reducing the amount of acid produced by the stomach. Antacids, not H2 blockers, are the class of drugs that work by neutralizing stomach acid.
Choice D rationale
H2 blockers do not inhibit the action of acetylcholine by blocking parasympathetic nerve endings. Anticholinergic medications are the ones that work by blocking the action of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that transmits signals in the nervous system.

Choice A rationale
Activating the synchronization mode is important during cardioversion to avoid delivering a shock during the vulnerable period of cardiac repolarization, which could potentially cause a life-threatening arrhythmia. However, it is not the most crucial action.
Choice B rationale
Choosing a monitor lead with a tall R wave can help ensure that the cardioverter-defibrillator can sense the patient’s intrinsic cardiac activity. However, this is not the most crucial action.
Choice C rationale
Administering the prescribed sedative is the most crucial action before initiating cardioversion. Sedation is necessary to ensure patient comfort and cooperation during the procedure, as cardioversion can be painful.
Choice D rationale

Verifying the prothrombin time (PT) is important in patients receiving anticoagulation therapy, as atrial fibrillation increases the risk of thrombus formation. However, it is not the most crucial action before initiating cardioversion.