A 6-week-old infant with pyloric stenosis is scheduled for a pyloromyotomy. Which pre-operative nursing action has the highest priority?

Choice A reason: A 16-year-old client diagnosed with major depression who refuses to participate in group does not require the nurse's immediate attention. Depression is a mood disorder that causes persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest. Refusing to participate in group may indicate low motivation, social withdrawal, or poor self-esteem, which are common symptoms of depression. The nurse should respect the client's preference and offer alternative activities or individual therapy.

Choice B reason:This client requires immediate intervention because pacing can be a sign of agitation, restlessness, or escalating mania. Clients with bipolar disorder in a manic phase may exhibit increased energy, impulsivity, irritability, and even aggression. If not addressed promptly, this behavior could escalate to disruptive outbursts, impulsive actions, or even violence toward themselves or others. The nurse should intervene by using calm communication, redirection, and possibly medication if prescribed to help de-escalate the situation and ensure safety.

Choice Creason:This scenario involves peer conflict, which is important to address, but it does not necessarily indicate an immediate risk of harm. Clients with antisocial behavior often engage in conflict due to manipulative or confrontational tendencies, but being yelled at does not mean they are in immediate danger. The nurse should monitor the situation and intervene to prevent escalation, but other safety concerns take priority.

Choice D reason: A 14-year-old client with anorexia nervosa who is refusing to eat the evening snack does not require the nurse's immediate attention. Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder that causes extreme restriction of food intake and fear of weight gain. Refusing to eat the evening snack may indicate distorted body image, dietary rules, or anxiety, which are common factors of anorexia nervosa. The nurse should encourage the client to eat and provide support and education.

Choice A reason: Securing chest tube to the stretcher for transport is not the most important action for the nurse to take. Chest tube is a device that drains air or fluid from the pleural space or mediastinum after surgery or trauma. Securing chest tube to the stretcher can prevent accidental dislodgement or kinking of the tube during transport, but it is not as crucial as maintaining proper drainage.

Choice B reason: Administering PRN pain medication prior to transport is not the most important action for the nurse to take. Pain medication is a drug that relieves pain by blocking pain signals or reducing inflammation. Administering pain medication prior to transport can improve comfort and reduce anxiety for the client, but it is not as urgent as preventing complications.

Choice C reason: Marking the amount of chest drainage on the container is not the most important action for the nurse to take. Chest drainage is the fluid or air that collects in the chest tube container after being drained from the pleural space or mediastinum. Marking the amount of chest drainage on the container can help monitor fluid balance and detect excessive bleeding or leakage, but it is not as vital as ensuring proper drainage.