The nurse is assessing a client with Graves' disease and finds that the client's temperature has risen 1° F. Before notifying the health care provider, which action by the nurse takes priority?
a. Turn the lights down in the client's room and shut the door.
b. Call for an immediate electrocardiogram (ECG).
c. Calculate the client's apical-radial pulse deficit.
d. Administer a dose of acetaminophen (Ty-lenol).
A
A temperature increase of 1° F may indicate the development of thyroid storm, and the provider needs to be notified. Before notifying the provider, the nurse should take measures to reduce en-vironmental stimuli that increase the risk of cardiac complications. The nurse can then call for an ECG. The apical-radial pulse deficit would not be necessary, and Tylenol is not needed because the temperature increase is due to thyroid activity.
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