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

Rationale:

• Stool: The presence of blood and mucus in the stool (“currant jelly” stool) is classic for intussusception, caused by ischemia and mucosal sloughing of the affected bowel segment.

• Abdominal findings: A distended abdomen with a small, palpable, oblong mass in the right upper quadrant is characteristic of the telescoping bowel seen in intussusception.

• Pain rating: Severe, intermittent, colicky abdominal pain causing the child to draw knees to chest is hallmark of intussusception due to periodic intestinal obstruction and ischemia. Children with Crohn’s may report chronic mild to moderate pain, often intermittent. Pain in appendicitis is usually steady, localized and worsens over time.

• Vomiting : Vomiting is common in intussusception due to partial bowel obstruction, often light-colored and non-bilious in early stages. In appendicitis, nausea and vomiting are common early symptoms.

•Temperature: In Crohn's disease low-grade fever is common due to the chronic inflammatory process, while in appendicitis, low-grade fever is common due to inflammation or early infection.

Rationale

A. Perform a vaginal examination every 12 hr: Vaginal examinations should be avoided in a client with severe preeclampsia unless delivery is imminent, as they can stimulate uterine activity and increase the risk of placental abruption. Continuous monitoring and noninvasive assessments are prioritized instead.

B. Administer betamethasone: Betamethasone promotes fetal lung maturity by stimulating surfactant production when preterm delivery before 34 weeks is anticipated. This reduces the risk of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome and intraventricular hemorrhage.

C. Provide a low-stimulation environment: A quiet, dimly lit environment helps minimize CNS stimulation, reducing the risk of seizure activity in clients with severe preeclampsia. Environmental stressors such as bright lights and loud noises should be avoided.

D. Maintain bed rest: Bed rest, particularly in the left lateral position, improves uteroplacental perfusion and reduces blood pressure by minimizing pressure on the vena cava. It also helps limit activity that could elevate BP further.

E. Obtain a 24-hr urine specimen: Collecting a 24-hour urine specimen allows accurate assessment of total protein excretion, which confirms the severity of preeclampsia. Proteinuria greater than 300 mg/24 hr indicates significant renal involvement.

F. Give antihypertensive medication: Antihypertensives such as labetalol or hydralazine help prevent maternal complications like stroke or heart failure from sustained severe hypertension while avoiding excessive BP reduction that could impair uteroplacental blood flow.

G. Monitor intake and output hourly: Close monitoring of intake and output detects early signs of renal compromise or fluid overload, which are common in preeclampsia. Accurate measurement helps guide safe fluid management and prevent pulmonary edema.