The nurse is caring for a patient admitted with severe sepsi…
The nurse is caring for a patient admitted with severe sepsis. Vital signs assessed by the nurse include blood pressure 80/50 mm Hg, heart rate 120 beats/min, respirations 28 breaths/min, oral temperature of 102° F, and a right atrial pressure (RAP 1-8 mmHg) of 1 mm Hg. Assuming physician orders, which intervention should the nurse carry out first?