A nurse is caring for Mr. Jackson, a 72-year-old client admi…
A nurse is caring for Mr. Jackson, a 72-year-old client admitted with shortness of breath and fatigue. The client reports increasing difficulty breathing when lying flat and swelling in his legs. Assessment Findings Respiratory rate: 26/min Oxygen saturation: 87% on room air Blood pressure: 162/90 mm Hg Heart rate: 104 bpm Crackles heard in bilateral lung bases 2+ pitting edema in lower extremities Reports fatigue with minimal activity With a priority nursing diagnosis of impaired gas exchange, what nursing intervention should the nurse implement first?