When receiving a telephone prescription for a client's persistent cough and wheezing, which intervention should the nurse implement first?

When addressing a client's persistent cough and wheezing following a telephone prescription, initiating a nebulizer breathing treatment is the most appropriate first step. This intervention directly targets the respiratory symptoms the client is experiencing—cough and wheezing—by delivering medication that can help open the airways and make breathing easier.

In situations where a patient exhibits wheezing, which may indicate bronchospasm or airway inflammation, immediate relief through bronchodilation is critical. A nebulizer can quickly provide medication such as albuterol, which works to relax the muscles of the airways and improve airflow.

Other interventions, while potentially necessary later, do not provide the immediate relief needed for the client's distressing symptoms. For example, a chest x-ray may help in diagnosing the underlying cause of the cough and wheezing but would not actively alleviate the symptoms. Antibiotic administration could be appropriate if an infection is suspected but might not be warranted immediately without further assessment of the need for such treatment. Documenting the prescription is important, but it is a secondary action that should follow the immediate provision of care aimed at relieving the client's symptoms.