After obtaining verbal prescriptions for a client experiencing cardiac distress, which intervention should the nurse prioritize?

Prioritizing the initiation of telemetry and assessing the client's cardiac rhythm is a critical intervention when managing a patient experiencing cardiac distress. This action allows the nurse to continuously monitor the heart’s electrical activity, which is crucial in identifying any dangerous arrhythmias or other complications that may arise in a patient with cardiac issues.

Real-time data about the patient’s heart rhythm can inform treatment decisions, such as the need for immediate medication administration or other emergency interventions based on findings. Identifying any abnormal cardiac patterns early can be life-saving, particularly in a situation where the patient is already in distress.

While administering medication, documenting prescriptions, and notifying the healthcare provider are important aspects of patient care and should eventually occur, they do not take precedence over ensuring the patient’s immediate safety and monitoring their critical cardiac status. Without an accurate understanding of the patient's cardiac rhythm, the nurse may risk administering interventions that could exacerbate the patient's condition. Hence, the priority is to first stabilize and closely monitor the patient.