A mother rushes into the emergency department carrying her toddler who has been exposed to some cleaning products.

The child has a chemical smell on their hands, face, and clothes.
After ensuring the airway is patent, which action should the nurse take first?

Choice A rationale
A sudden change in behavior, especially confusion and agitation, in an elderly patient could be a sign of a urinary tract infection (UTI). Pain during urination is a common symptom of UTIs.
Therefore, it is crucial to inquire if the patient is experiencing any pain during urination.
Choice B rationale

While a high-protein diet can be beneficial for some patients, there is no direct link between increased protein intake and the alleviation of confusion or agitation in elderly patients.
Therefore, this option is not a necessary immediate action for the nurse to take.
Choice C rationale
Reviewing the patient’s current food and medication allergies is important. Certain medications or foods might cause adverse reactions, including confusion and agitation. Therefore, it is crucial to review the patient’s allergies to rule out any potential allergens as the cause of the sudden change in behavior.
Choice D rationale
A recent fall could potentially lead to a head injury, which might cause confusion and agitation. Therefore, it is important to determine if the patient has recently experienced a fall.
Choice E rationale
Providing instructions on how to take the patient’s temperature is important. Fever could be a sign of an infection or other medical condition that might cause confusion and agitation.
Therefore, knowing how to accurately measure the patient’s temperature can help monitor the patient’s condition.

Choice A rationale
Reinforcing the connection of the chest tube to the container with tape is not the immediate action to be taken when a client becomes suddenly short of breath and anxious. This action might be necessary if the connection between the chest tube and the container is loose, but it does not address the immediate need of the client.
Choice B rationale
If a client with a chest tube becomes suddenly short of breath and anxious, the nurse should immediately clamp the chest tube with a plastic clamp. This is because the chest tube might have been disconnected from the water seal chamber, and clamping the tube can prevent air from entering the pleural space and causing a tension pneumothorax.
Choice C rationale

Applying an occlusive dressing over the site of the chest tube is not the immediate action to be taken when a client becomes suddenly short of breath and anxious. This action might be necessary if the chest tube is accidentally removed, but it does not address the immediate need of the client.
Choice D rationale
Ensuring that the chest tubing is neither kinked nor hanging low is an important part of the ongoing care for a client with a chest tube, but it is not the immediate action to be taken when a client becomes suddenly short of breath and anxious.