Given the electrocardiogram tracing below for a client who is unresponsive and without a pulse, what should be the nurse’s priority action?

Choice A rationale
Idiopathic vasospasm, or spontaneous constriction of the blood vessels, can cause myocardial ischemia. However, this is a relatively rare cause compared to atherosclerosis.
Choice B rationale
Atherosclerosis, a condition characterized by the buildup of fatty plaques in the arteries, is the most common cause of myocardial ischemia. These plaques can restrict blood flow to the heart muscle, leading to ischemia.
Choice C rationale
Venous emboli, or blood clots that form in the veins, typically do not cause myocardial ischemia. These clots are more likely to cause problems in the lungs (pulmonary embolism) if they travel through the bloodstream.
Choice D rationale
Arterial emboli from a heart valve can cause myocardial ischemia, but this is less common than atherosclerosis. These emboli, or blood clots, can block blood flow to the heart muscle if they travel through the bloodstream.

Choice A rationale
Serum hemoglobin of 14.7 g/dL is within the normal range for adults, which is typically 12.0 to
16.0 g/dL for women and 13.5 to 17.5 g/dL for men. Hemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body. While it’s important to monitor hemoglobin levels, a value of 14.7 g/dL does not raise immediate concerns related to hypertension.
Choice B rationale
A blood glucose level of 96 mg/dL is considered normal. The normal range for fasting blood glucose is between 70 and 100 mg/dL1. Blood glucose levels are important to monitor, especially in patients with diabetes, but a value of 96 mg/dL is not immediately concerning in the context of hypertension.
Choice C rationale
A serum potassium level of 4.5 mEq/L is within the normal range, which is typically 3.6 to 5.2 mEq/L1. Potassium is an essential electrolyte that helps regulate heart and muscle contractions and maintain fluid balance in the body. While it’s important to monitor potassium levels, a value of 4.5 mEq/L does not raise immediate concerns related to hypertension.
Choice D rationale
A serum creatinine level of 2.8 mg/dL is high. Creatinine is a waste product that’s produced by your muscles and filtered out of your blood by your kidneys. High levels of creatinine can indicate that the kidneys aren’t working properly, which can be a complication of hypertension. Therefore, this result is the most important to communicate to the healthcare provider.