A nurse is assisting with the care of a preschooler who has epiglottitis. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

A) Position the client on their left side.
This is the most appropriate action. The client's symptoms (dizziness, racing heart, and paleness) are consistent with supine hypotensive syndrome, which occurs when the pregnant uterus compresses the inferior vena cava while lying on the back, reducing venous return to the heart. Positioning the client on their left side relieves the pressure on the vena cava, restores normal blood flow, and alleviates these symptoms. This is a common intervention during pregnancy to prevent such complications.

B) Check the client's temperature.
While checking the client’s temperature may be necessary if an infection is suspected, the symptoms described are more indicative of supine hypotensive syndrome rather than an infection. Therefore, checking the temperature is not the priority action in this scenario.

C) Instruct the client to take a brisk walk.
Encouraging the client to take a brisk walk is not an appropriate response to the symptoms described. In fact, moving or exerting oneself might worsen dizziness or lead to further complications. The priority is to relieve the pressure on the vena cava by changing the client's position, not by physical activity.

D) Provide the client with a glass of orange juice.
Although providing orange juice might help if the client is experiencing hypoglycemia, there is no indication from the symptoms described that the client has low blood sugar. The client's symptoms are more likely due to positional changes that affect circulation during pregnancy, and the best immediate action is to change the client's position rather than offering food or drink.

A) "I will stop what I am doing and lie down.": This is the correct response. When a client with stable angina experiences chest pain, they should stop any physical activity and rest in a comfortable position, preferably lying down. This helps reduce the heart’s workload and decrease the demand for oxygen, which can relieve the pain. Rest is important before taking any further action.

B) "I will take two 325 milligram aspirin tablets at the same time.": While aspirin can help reduce blood clot formation in some cases of chest pain, the recommended dosage is typically one 81-325 mg aspirin, not two 325 mg tablets. Taking two large doses may lead to an overdose or unwanted side effects. Additionally, this is not the immediate intervention for stable angina pain, which typically responds to rest and nitroglycerin.

C) "I will hold my breath and bear down.": This technique, known as the Valsalva maneuver, can increase intrathoracic pressure and slow the heart rate, but it is not recommended to relieve chest pain in stable angina. In fact, it could increase stress on the heart and worsen the symptoms. This maneuver is used in specific situations, such as slowing a rapid heart rate, not for chest pain relief.

D) "I will call the provider after taking one dose of nitroglycerin.": The client should first try nitroglycerin for chest pain as prescribed, and if the pain doesn’t resolve after one dose (or if it worsens), they should seek medical attention. However, in the case of stable angina, it's more appropriate to call the provider if the chest pain persists despite rest and nitroglycerin, not immediately after the first dose.