A nurse is reinforcing teaching with staff members about the protocol for extinguishing a fire in a trash can in a client's room. After removing the client from the room, which of the following actions should the nurse instruct the staff members to take next?

A) Initiate oxygen therapy via nasal cannula for a client who has COPD:

Clients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) often have impaired gas exchange and may experience acute exacerbations requiring oxygen therapy to improve oxygenation and alleviate respiratory distress. Oxygen therapy is a critical intervention to address hypoxemia and prevent complications such as respiratory failure. Therefore, initiating oxygen therapy for a client with COPD is the highest priority among the options provided.

B) Initiate a 24-hr urine collection for a client who has end-stage kidney disease:

Initiating a 24-hour urine collection is an important nursing task for clients with end-stage kidney disease to monitor renal function and assess urine output. However, compared to the immediate need for oxygen therapy in a client with COPD, starting a urine collection is a lower priority and can be scheduled once the client's respiratory needs are addressed.

C) Administer an antibiotic for a client who has methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus:

Administering antibiotics for a client with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection is important to control the spread of infection and prevent complications. However, unless the client's condition is critically unstable or the antibiotic administration is time-sensitive, addressing oxygenation needs for a client with COPD takes precedence due to the potential for respiratory compromise and hypoxemia.

D) Change the dressing for a client who has a decubitus ulcer:

Changing dressings for clients with decubitus ulcers is essential for wound care management and prevention of infection. While maintaining skin integrity is important, addressing respiratory distress in a client with COPD is a higher priority to ensure adequate oxygenation and prevent respiratory compromise.

A) Determine which clients need priority medical treatment: This task requires clinical judgment and assessment skills beyond the scope of practice for assistive personnel. Nurses are responsible for assessing clients' needs during emergencies and determining priority for medical treatment based on the severity of their conditions.

B) Answer questions from area residents who have health concerns: While it's important to provide information and support to those affected by the tornado, answering questions about health concerns requires knowledge and expertise in healthcare that is typically within the nurse's scope of practice. Nurses should address inquiries and provide education to ensure the well-being of the community.

C) Perform CPR for a client who is not breathing: This task can be delegated to assistive personnel if they are trained and competent in CPR. In emergencies such as cardiac arrest, prompt initiation of CPR can be life-saving. However, it's crucial to ensure that the assistive personnel are properly trained and certified in CPR before delegating this task.

D) Complete distal capillary refill checks for a client who has an open leg wound: While assessing capillary refill is an important aspect of wound care, performing this task for a client with an open leg wound requires specialized knowledge and skills in wound assessment and management. It falls within the scope of nursing practice and should not be delegated to assistive personnel.