While the nurse is conducting an admission assessment of a female client with bipolar disorder, the client suddenly begins to take off her clothes and throw them about the room. Which action should the nurse take first?

A. Acetaminophen 350 mg PO every 6 hours for temperature greater than 101°F (38.3°C): While controlling fever is important, it is not as urgent as ensuring adequate oxygenation and
monitoring of vital signs. Fever can be managed once the client's respiratory status is stabilized.

B. Place the client on a cardiorespiratory monitor

The correct answer is B. Placing the client on a cardiorespiratory monitor is crucial to continuously monitor vital signs, including heart rate, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, and cardiac rhythm. Given the client's reported difficulty breathing, this order takes priority to assess the severity of respiratory distress and ensure timely intervention if needed.

C. Start oxygen 3 L/minute via nasal cannula

The correct answer is C. Initiating oxygen therapy is essential for improving oxygenation and respiratory function, especially in a patient with reported difficulty breathing. Administering oxygen can help alleviate hypoxemia and reduce the workload on the respiratory system. This intervention takes precedence in addressing the client's acute respiratory symptoms.
D. Chest x-ray: A chest x-ray is important for further evaluation of the client's respiratory status, but it is not as immediate as placing the client on a cardiorespiratory monitor and initiating oxygen therapy.
E. Run 0.9% sodium chloride IV infusion at 150 mL/hour: Initiating IV fluids is important, but it is not as urgent as addressing the client's respiratory distress and oxygenation needs.
F. Start a peripheral IV: Starting a peripheral IV is necessary for administering medications and fluids, but it can be done after placing the client on a monitor and starting oxygen therapy.

G. Sputum culture: While obtaining a sputum culture is important for identifying the causative organism of the respiratory infection, it is not as urgent as addressing the client's immediate respiratory distress.
H. NPO: NPO status may be necessary for certain diagnostic tests or procedures, but it does not take priority over addressing the client's respiratory distress and oxygenation needs.

A. Serum potassium. Insulin therapy causes potassium to move into cells, which can lead to hypokalemia. Monitoring serum potassium is critical because significant drops can lead to cardiac arrhythmias and other complications.
B. Urine ketones. While monitoring ketones is important for assessing the resolution of DKA, it is not as immediately critical as monitoring potassium levels.
C. Serum sodium. Sodium levels are important but typically do not change as rapidly as potassium levels during DKA treatment.
D. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN). BUN levels provide information about kidney function and hydration status but are less immediately critical than potassium levels in the context of insulin therapy for DKA.