A nurse is caring for a client who has end-stage liver disease and is undergoing a paracentesis. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to evaluate the effectiveness of the procedure?

The correct answer is Choice C.

Choice A rationale: While additional staff may be needed, the primary focus during a mass casualty event is triage and immediate care. Choice B rationale: Media relations are important, but the nurse's priority is direct patient care. Choice C rationale: Assessing incoming clients and determining their medical needs is crucial for prioritizing care and allocating resources effectively. Choice D rationale: Discharging stable clients may be necessary in extreme circumstances, but it is not the immediate priority. The focus should be on providing care to the influx of injured patients.

The correct answer is choice C. A client who was just given a glass of orange juice for a low blood glucose level.

This client should be assessed first because they are at risk of hypoglycemia, which is a medical emergency that can cause seizures, coma, or death if not treated promptly.

The nurse should check the client’s blood glucose level again and provide additional carbohydrates or glucose if needed.

Choice A is wrong because a client who is scheduled for a procedure in 1 hr is not in immediate danger and can be assessed later.

The nurse should verify the client’s consent, allergies, and vital signs before the procedure, but this is not a priority over a client with low blood glucose.

Choice B is wrong because a client who received a pain medication 30 min ago for postoperative pain is likely to have improved pain relief and does not need immediate assessment.

The nurse should monitor the client’s pain level, vital signs, and respiratory status periodically, but this is not a priority over a client with low blood glucose.

Choice D is wrong because a client who has 100 mL of fluid remaining in his IV bag is not in immediate danger and can be assessed later.

The nurse should change the IV bag when it is empty or nearly empty, but this is not a priority over a client with low blood glucose.

Normal blood glucose levels are between 70 to 100 mg/dL (3.9 to 5.5 mmol/L) when fasting, and less than 140 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L) two hours after eating. A blood glucose level below 70 mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L) is considered hypoglycemia and requires immediate treatment. Orange juice is a source of simple carbohydrates that can raise blood glucose quickly, but it may not be enough to prevent hypoglycemia in some cases.