A nurse on a pediatric unit is caring for a toddler who has poor dietary intake. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

• Administer sublingual nitroglycerin. Nitroglycerin is a first-line treatment for angina or suspected myocardial infarction. It dilates coronary arteries, improving blood flow and reducing myocardial oxygen demand.
• Apply supplemental oxygen. Routine oxygen administration is no longer recommended unless the client is hypoxic (oxygen saturation below 90%) because excessive oxygen can lead to vasoconstriction and worsen myocardial injury.
• Obtain a 12-lead ECG. While an ECG is important for diagnosing myocardial infarction, the priority in an acute chest pain episode is symptom relief and hemodynamic stability. The ECG should already have been obtained at admission.
• Administer morphine sulfate IV. Morphine is used to manage severe chest pain that is not relieved by nitroglycerin. It reduces myocardial oxygen demand, preload, and anxiety, which can help relieve symptoms.
• Monitor vital signs. Continuous monitoring is essential, but it is not the most immediate intervention in an acute episode of worsening chest pain. The focus should be on relieving ischemia and reducing myocardial workload.
• Educate the client about smoking cessation. While smoking cessation is critical for long-term cardiovascular health, education is not a priority when the client is experiencing acute chest pain requiring immediate intervention.

Anticipated:

• Apply a cool compress to the extremity. A cool compress can reduce swelling, relieve discomfort, and help minimize the tightness in the skin caused by edema. The cold temperature helps constrict blood vessels, reducing fluid buildup in the tissues. This intervention is appropriate for managing IV infiltration-related symptoms.
• Assist in inserting a new IV catheter in a site distal to the infiltration site. If the IV site becomes infiltrated, the correct approach is to stop the current infusion and insert a new catheter in a different location, preferably distal to the infiltration site. This ensures continued IV access without further aggravating the infiltrated site.
• Elevate extremity. Elevating the affected extremity can help reduce swelling by promoting venous return. Elevation improves circulation and decreases the pressure caused by fluid accumulation in the tissues. This is an effective intervention for managing swelling in the right upper extremity due to infiltration.

Not Anticipated:

• Phytonadione (vitamin K) is typically used to reverse the effects of anticoagulation medications or treat vitamin K deficiency. This is not indicated for the client, as there is no evidence of bleeding or an anticoagulation issue that requires vitamin K. The client's current problem is an IV infiltration, not a clotting disorder.
• Send the catheter tip for culture. At this point, there are no signs of infection such as redness, warmth, or discharge from the IV site. The primary concern is managing the infiltration, so sending the catheter tip for culture is unnecessary unless infection is suspected. Culture collection is reserved for cases where an infection is present.
• Suggest irrigating the IV catheter. Irrigating an infiltrated IV catheter could worsen the situation by pushing fluids further into the surrounding tissue or introducing bacteria. The proper action is to discontinue the infusion, remove the IV, and insert a new catheter at a different site rather than attempting to irrigate an already compromised catheter.