What priority action should the practical nurse (PN) take when a chemotherapy client develops a cough with yellow-tinged sputum and has a fever?

When a chemotherapy client develops a cough with yellow-tinged sputum and fever, the priority action is to notify the charge nurse of these assessment findings. This situation could indicate a potential infection, such as pneumonia or another respiratory issue, especially considering that chemotherapy can suppress the immune system and increase the risk of infections.

Notifying the charge nurse is crucial, as they can initiate further assessments and orders that may be necessary for the client's care. This could include ordering laboratory tests, imaging studies, or specific treatments to address the identified symptoms. The urgency of the client's condition means that taking immediate steps through proper channels ensures that appropriate interventions are implemented quickly to safeguard the client's health.

Administering cough medicine or starting oxygen therapy might be helpful but should only be done after a comprehensive assessment and discussion with the charge nurse to ensure the client's overall treatment plan is followed. Assessing hydration is also important but secondary to addressing the possible infection indicated by the cough, sputum, and fever. Thus, escalating the situation to the supervisory nurse is essential for optimal patient management.