A nurse is monitoring a client following a thoracentesis. The nurse should identify which of the following manifestations as a complication and contact the provider immediately?

A. Close the fire doors on the unit:
Closing fire doors is a safety measure to contain smoke and flames, but activating the fire alarm is the priority to ensure a swift and comprehensive response.

B. Use a fire extinguisher to put out the fire:
While using a fire extinguisher is an important action, it should come after activating the fire alarm. The fire alarm alerts everyone to the emergency, and then the appropriate personnel can use fire extinguishers as needed.

C. Move any clients in the immediate vicinity:

Priority action during a fire: The priority in any fire situation is to ensure the safety of individuals in the immediate area. The acronym RACE is commonly used in healthcare settings to outline the steps to take in the event of a fire:

• Rescue anyone in immediate danger.
• Alarm: Activate the fire alarm.
• Contain the fire by closing doors.
• Extinguish the fire if it is small and safe to do so, or Evacuate the area if necessary.

D. Activate the fire alarm
This is also important but comes after rescuing or moving clients in immediate danger.

A. Assessing a client who experiences unilateral calf pain when ambulating.
Unilateral calf pain in a client who is ambulating can be indicative of a potential deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which is a serious condition that requires prompt assessment and intervention. DVTs are a risk after surgery, and early detection is crucial to prevent complications such as a pulmonary embolism. Assessing the client experiencing calf pain is the priority to determine the cause and initiate appropriate interventions.

B. Reassuring the partner of a client who sustained a closed head injury:
While providing support and reassurance to family members is important, it is not as urgent as assessing a client with potential signs of a DVT.

C. Taking a telephone prescription about a client who is to be transferred from PACU:
While obtaining and implementing orders in a timely manner is important, assessing and addressing a potential DVT takes precedence due to the immediate risk to the client's well-being.

D. Reinforcing a client’s dressing for the surgical site of an above-the-knee amputation:
Dressing reinforcement is important for wound care, but it is not as urgently needed as assessing a client with possible signs of a DVT. The assessment of calf pain takes priority.