A nurse is preparing to administer 2.5 mL of medication intramuscularly to an adult client.
Which of the following is the safest site for the nurse to use?

A. Apply oxygen at 3 L/min per nasal cannula: While oxygenation is important, there is no

indication in the scenario that the client requires oxygen supplementation at this time. Checking oxygen saturation would be more relevant if there were respiratory concerns.

B. Review the chest x-ray report: This is the most appropriate action before initiating the IV

infusion to ensure proper placement of the central venous catheter and absence of complications such as pneumothorax or malposition.

C. Flush the catheter with sterile water: Flushing the catheter with sterile water is not necessary before starting the infusion, especially without confirming proper catheter placement through chest x-ray.

D. Obtain a peripheral blood glucose level: While monitoring blood glucose levels may be

important in certain clinical situations, it is not directly relevant to initiating an IV infusion of Ringer's lactate via a central venous catheter.

A. Dependent edema may be present in pericarditis but is not typically the priority finding unless it indicates worsening heart failure.

B. Pericardial friction rub is a classic finding in pericarditis but is not the priority unless it indicates cardiac tamponade, which is a medical emergency.

C. Paradoxical pulse may occur in pericarditis but is not necessarily the priority finding unless it is severe and indicative of cardiac tamponade.

D. Substernal chest pain is the priority finding in pericarditis as it indicates inflammation of the pericardium, which can lead to complications such as myocardial infarction or cardiac

tamponade. Prompt intervention is necessary to alleviate pain and prevent complications.