A nurse is caring for a client who has an abdominal aortic aneurysm and reports a feeling of heaviness in the chest while ambulating in the hall. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

Choice A reason: Referring to a mental health clinic addresses potential emotional distress but not the adolescent’s primary concern of affordability. Pregnancy increases psychological stress, but financial barriers to prenatal care are critical. This action fails to ensure access to medical resources, essential for maternal and fetal health in adolescent pregnancy.
Choice B reason: Contacting the adolescent’s parent risks breaching confidentiality, depending on legal guidelines, and does not address financial concerns directly. Family dynamics may complicate support, and without consent, this action could increase stress, failing to provide immediate healthcare access critical for a healthy pregnancy outcome.
Choice C reason: Assisting with Medicaid application directly addresses financial concerns, ensuring access to prenatal care, delivery, and postpartum support. Medicaid reduces risks like preterm birth by covering medical and nutritional needs, critical for adolescent mothers with limited resources, aligning with public health goals for maternal-fetal well-being.
Choice D reason: Advising adoption is premature and overlooks the adolescent’s autonomy. Adoption requires extensive counseling, not immediate recommendation. It fails to address healthcare access, critical for a healthy pregnancy. This approach dismisses financial solutions, potentially increasing stress and undermining informed decision-making in pregnancy.

Choice A reason: Red meat is high in saturated fats and sodium, which can elevate blood pressure, worsening hypertension. It is not recommended for a heart-healthy diet, as it increases cardiovascular strain. The nurse should suggest leaner proteins instead, making this an incorrect dietary choice.
Choice B reason: Cheese is often high in sodium and saturated fat, contributing to increased blood pressure and cardiovascular risk in hypertension. Low-sodium alternatives are preferred, but cheese is generally discouraged, making this an inappropriate food to recommend for this client’s diet.
Choice C reason: Canned black beans are high in sodium, which exacerbates hypertension by promoting fluid retention and vascular strain. Rinsing reduces sodium, but fresh or low-sodium options are better. This choice is less ideal than fresh produce, making it incorrect for hypertension management.
Choice D reason: Fresh spinach is rich in potassium, magnesium, and fiber, which help lower blood pressure by counteracting sodium and relaxing blood vessels. It aligns with the DASH diet, an evidence-based approach for hypertension, making it the best food to recommend for this client’s condition.