A nurse in an emergency department is preparing a client for emergency surgery. The client's blood alcohol level is 180 mg/dL. Which of the following actions is the nurse's priority?

Choice A Reason:

"Describe your daily medication schedule” is not the correct statement. Understanding the medication schedule is important for adherence to antiretroviral therapy.

Choice B Reason:

"Tell me why it's important to have your CD4+ count checked." Is the correct statement, the priority information for the nurse to review with the client is why it's important to have their CD4+ count checked regularly? The CD4+ count is a crucial marker of immune system health and function in individuals with HIV. Monitoring CD4+ counts help guides treatment decisions, assess the effectiveness of antiretroviral therapy, and evaluate the progression of the disease. Understanding the significance of CD4+ counts is essential for the client's overall management of HIV.

Choice C Reason:

"List some ways you can cope with the stress of your illness" is not the correct statement - Coping strategies are important for the client's emotional well-being and overall health.

Choice D Reason:

"Name a few things you will change about your diet" is not the correct statement. Nutrition is important for overall health, including maintaining a strong immune system, but it may not be the most immediate priority compared to understanding the importance of CD4+ counts.

Choice A Reason:

A client who has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and an oxygen saturation of 89% is correct. The nurse should attend to the client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and an oxygen saturation of 89% first. Oxygen saturation levels below 90% indicate significant hypoxemia and potential respiratory distress. The client with COPD is at risk for further worsening of their condition due to inadequate oxygenation. Therefore, addressing this client's low oxygen saturation is a priority to ensure their respiratory status is stabilized.

Choice B Reason:

A client who has multiple sclerosis and reports ataxia and vertigo is incorrect. While these symptoms need assessment and care, they are not indicative of an immediate life-threatening situation.

Choice CReason:

A client who has left-sided paralysis and slurred speech from a prior stroke is incorrect., While this client requires ongoing care, the immediate concern is lower in priority compared to addressing severe hypoxemia.

Choice DReason:

A client who has thrombocytopenia and reports a nosebleed is incorrect. Although a nosebleed can be concerning due to thrombocytopenia, it is not as immediately critical as addressing severe hypoxemia.