A client arrives at the emergency department (ED) following a motor vehicle collision. The nurse observes the client experiencing increasing dyspnea and notes absent breath sounds on the left side. Which procedure should the nurse prepare the client for?

Choice A reason: While the chest x-ray report is important, it is not as immediately critical as a low potassium level.

Choice B reason: The surgical consent form is important but can be addressed quickly before surgery.

Choice C reason:

The correct answer is c) because a preoperative serum potassium level of 2.8 mEq/L is dangerously low and requires immediate correction to avoid cardiac complications during surgery.

Choice D reason: A pulse oximeter reading of 96% is within normal limits and does not require immediate action.

Choice A reason: Increasing the frequency of BP assessments is important to monitor the client's condition, but it does not address the potential cause of the drop in blood pressure.

Choice B reason: Encouraging the client to breathe deeply is useful for overall respiratory function but does not address the specific issue of the dropping blood pressure.

Choice C reason:

The correct answer is c) because checking the abdominal surgical dressing can help identify if there is postoperative bleeding or other complications at the surgical site, which could be causing the drop in blood pressure.

Choice D reason: Reviewing the client's baseline BP trends provides useful information but does not address the immediate potential cause of the blood pressure change.