A nurse is assisting with planning care for a client who was admitted for reports of severe coughing, night sweats, and blood in the sputum. Which of the following precautions should the nurse take?

A. Clean the client's finger with hexachlorophene: Hexachlorophene is not recommended for cleaning the skin before blood glucose testing; a mild soap and water or an alcohol swab is typically used.
B. Apply the first drop of blood to the test strip: The first drop of blood is often not used due to potential contamination; the nurse should usually wipe away the first drop and use the second one.
C. Hold the client's finger in a dependent position: This is correct as holding the finger downward can help increase blood flow to the fingertip, facilitating easier blood collection.
D. Prick the central tip of the client's finger: Pricking the central tip can be painful; the sides of the fingertip are preferred for less discomfort and to avoid nerve endings.

A. Obtain vital signs every 5 min.

Rationale: The client's vital signs indicate hypotension (blood pressure 88/54 mm Hg) and tachycardia (heart rate 104/min). Frequent monitoring of vital signs is essential to assess changes in the client's condition and guide further interventions.

E. Initiate a second peripheral IV.

Rationale: Given the client's low urine output (110 mL over 6 hours) and signs of possible hypovolemia or fluid imbalance, establishing an additional IV line can facilitate the administration of fluids and medications more effectively.

F. Apply oxygen.

Rationale: The client's oxygen saturation is slightly decreased at 96% on room air. Applying supplemental oxygen can help improve oxygenation and alleviate symptoms related to decreased oxygen levels.

Not Recommended Actions:

B. Place the client in high-Fowler's position: This position might not be appropriate for a client with chest pain and potential hypovolemia, as it could exacerbate hypotension.

C. Perform gastric lavage: The output from the nasogastric tube (800 mL sanguineous) does not indicate a need for gastric lavage unless there is a specific reason to suspect gastrointestinal bleeding that requires immediate intervention.

D. Prepare to administer anticoagulants: There is no indication of thromboembolism or need for anticoagulants based on the provided information. The focus should be on addressing hypotension and fluid imbalance.