A 14-Year-Old Girl Is Admitted to the ER with a Suspected

Multiple Choice

A 14-year-old girl is admitted to the ER with a suspected overdose of an unknown drug. Arterial blood gasses (ABG) are drawn with the following results: pH 7.31, PO₂ 88, PCO₂ 59, HCO₃ 22. Identify the initial action to be taken by the nurse.

A) Insert a large-gauge nasogastric tube for gastric lavage.
B) Insert a Foley catheter and obtain a urine for drug screen.
C) Use a manual ventilator (ambu-bag) to assist with ventilation.
D) Attach the client to a cardiac monitor and watch for dysrhythmia.