A nurse is assisting in the care of a client who has a pulmonary embolism and is experiencing dyspnea. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

The correct answer is choice A. Auscultate the client's abdomen for bowel sounds. This is the first action the nurse should take because it provides information about the client's bowel motility and function. Opioid medications can decrease bowel motility and cause constipation. The nurse should assess the client's abdomen before implementing any interventions.

• Choice B is not correct because providing privacy and a set time to defecate is a nonpharmacological intervention that can help prevent constipation, but it is not the first action the nurse should take.
• Choice C is not correct because administering a fiber-based laxative is a pharmacological intervention that can help treat constipation, but it is not the first action the nurse should take. The nurse should also consider the client's fluid intake and preference before giving a laxative.
• Choice D is not correct because encouraging the client to increase oral intake of fluids is a nonpharmacological intervention that can help prevent constipation, but it is not the first action the nurse should take. The nurse should also consider the client's fluid balance and medical condition before giving fluids.

The nurse should include monitoring for muscle paralysis in the plan of care for a client with botulism poisoning. Botulism is a serious bacterial illness that can cause muscle paralysis and can be life threatening. Monitoring for muscle paralysis is essential for early detection and intervention.

Choice B is incorrect because contact isolation is not necessary for the treatment of botulism.

Choice C is incorrect because increased salivation is not a common symptom of botulism.

Choice D is incorrect because clindamycin hydrochloride is not used to treat botulism.