For staging of head and neck cancer, which letter indicates whether cancer has spread to another part of the body?

A. Tachypnea, or rapid breathing, is a common finding in pneumonia due to hypoxia and the body's attempt to compensate for impaired gas exchange in the lungs. It is one of the hallmark signs of pneumonia.
B. Bradycardia is uncommon in pneumonia. Tachycardia (increased heart rate) is more frequently observed as the body compensates for the infection and reduced oxygenation.
C. Hypothermia is not typically associated with pneumonia; more commonly, fever (hyperthermia) is present as a sign of infection.
D. A pulse deficit is a sign of a heart condition, such as atrial fibrillation, not typically related to pneumonia.

A. Obtain a prescription for supplemental oxygen: This is the correct answer. The patient is experiencing hypoxia, and ensuring adequate oxygenation is the priority. Oxygen supplementation is essential to correct the hypoxia, which can exacerbate metabolic disturbances like diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Improving oxygenation will also support other treatments, such as insulin administration, by improving tissue perfusion.
B. Obtain a prescription to administer insulin: While insulin is a key treatment for DKA, addressing hypoxia first is more urgent. Hypoxia can impair the effectiveness of insulin and other therapies, so stabilizing the patient’s oxygen levels should be prioritized before insulin administration.
C. Obtain a prescription to administer intravenous fluids: Administering fluids is important in DKA management, especially for rehydration and correcting electrolyte imbalances. However, addressing hypoxia first is the priority to stabilize the patient and ensure optimal perfusion for further interventions like fluid resuscitation.
D. Obtain a prescription to check the client's glucose level: This is not necessary, as the glucose level is likely already elevated, which is characteristic of DKA. The focus should be on stabilizing the patient's airway and oxygenation before monitoring glucose levels or starting insulin.