A nurse is assisting with the care of a client.

Complete the following sentence by using the lists of options.

After notifying the provider, the nurse should first

______

and then

_______

A. Disposes of contaminated sheets in a linen bag: Contaminated linens should be placed in a designated leak-proof bag, often specifically marked for contaminated items. Simply disposing of them in a regular linen bag without proper precautions could lead to the spread of infection.

B. Wears clean gloves when performing oral hygiene: Wearing clean gloves during oral care is an effective and appropriate use of supplies to maintain standard precautions and protect both the client and the caregiver from potential contamination.

C. Empties the sharps container when it is full: The sharps container should be emptied when it is three-quarters full, not completely full. Waiting until it is full increases the risk of needlestick injuries and improper disposal practices.

D. Wears an N95 mask when bathing a client who has Clostridium difficile: For Clostridium difficile, the appropriate personal protective equipment includes gloves and a gown, not an N95 mask. C. difficile is transmitted via contact with spores, not through airborne particles.

• Lung sounds: The client is exhibiting slight inspiratory wheezes, suggesting airway narrowing that could worsen quickly, particularly with a history of asthma. Following the ABC priority framework (Airway, Breathing, Circulation), any compromise in breathing must be assessed and managed first to prevent respiratory decline.
• Bowel sounds: Although bowel sounds are hyperactive, they do not immediately threaten life or stability. They are typically monitored rather than prioritized unless accompanied by severe gastrointestinal symptoms like obstruction.
• Heart rate: Tachycardia is present but mild at 104/min and not currently associated with hypotension or hypoxia. While important to monitor, it is a secondary concern after ensuring airway patency and addressing breathing issues.
• Anxiety: Anxiety may be contributing to elevated heart rate and hyperactive bowel sounds but does not represent an immediate physiological risk. Emotional support is important but should be provided after stabilizing airway and circulation.
• Vaginal spotting: Vaginal spotting, especially in early pregnancy with abdominal tenderness, raises concern for ectopic pregnancy. After securing the airway, the next concern would be assessing for ongoing or worsening vaginal bleeding, which could signify internal hemorrhage.
• Hemoglobin: The client's hemoglobin is low-normal (11 g/dL), suggesting mild anemia, possibly from chronic or early bleeding. However, there are no signs of active major blood loss requiring emergent correction, so it would not take immediate precedence over bleeding evaluation.