A client is receiving continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis since the arteriovenous (AV) graft in the right arm is no longer available for use for hemodialysis. The client has lost weight, has increasing peripheral edema, and has a serum albumin level of 1.5 g/dL (15 g/L). Which intervention is the priority for the nurse to implement?

Serum Albumin Reference Range: 3.5 to 5.5 g/dL (35 to 55 g/L)

Choice A: Monitoring indwelling urinary catheter and measure strict intake and output is not an action that the nurse should immediately take, as this is not relevant or urgent for a client who may have had a stroke. This is a distractor choice.

Choice B: Keeping the bed in the lowest position and initiating seizure and fall precautions is not an action that the nurse should immediately take, as this is a preventive measure that does not address the acute problem of impaired cerebral perfusion. This is another distractor choice.

Choice C: Starting two large bore IV catheters and reviewing inclusion criteria for IV fibrinolytic therapy is an action that the nurse should immediately take, as this can prepare the client for potential administration of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA., which can dissolve blood clots and restore blood flow to the brain if given within 4.5 hours of stroke onset. Therefore, this is the correct choice.

Choice D: Maintaining elevated positioning of the dependent joints on affected side is not an action that the nurse should immediately take, as this can worsen edema and impair circulation in the affected limbs. The recommended position is to keep them at or below heart level. This is another distractor choice.

The correct answer is A. Flushed, peeling skin

Choice A reason: Flushed, peeling skin is a classic sign of scarlet fever, which is a condition that can arise from Streptococcal pharyngitis. Scarlet fever is characterized by a red rash that can cover most of the body and may lead to the skin peeling. This symptom is a direct reaction to the toxins produced by the Streptococcal bacteria.

Choice B reason: Red bumps across the chest could be indicative of many conditions and are not specifically characteristic of the reaction to toxins produced by Streptococcal bacteria. While a rash is common in scarlet fever, it typically starts on the face or neck and spreads to the rest of the body, rather than presenting as isolated red bumps.

Choice C reason: A white coating on the tongue, often referred to as “strawberry tongue,” is indeed associated with scarlet fever. However, it is not the clearest indication of a reaction to the toxins. The white coating usually precedes the strawberry-like appearance, where the tongue becomes red and bumpy.

Choice D reason: While a high fever is a symptom of scarlet fever, it is not specific to the reaction to toxins from Streptococcal bacteria, as many infections can cause high fevers. The term “protracted” suggests a prolonged fever, which could be seen in various conditions.