A client returns from surgery with a sudden drop in blood pressure, increased heart rate, and cool, clammy skin. The nurse suspects hypovolemic shock. What is the PRIORITY nursing intervention?

The correct answer to the question "A client returns from surgery with a sudden drop in blood pressure, increased heart rate, and cool, clammy skin. The nurse suspects hypovolemic shock. What is the PRIORITY nursing intervention?" is Option B: Elevate the client's legs and increase IV fluid rate..

The other options — A) Administer ordered pain medication., C) Obtain a 12-lead EKG., D) Document vital signs and notify the surgeon. — are incorrect for this NCLEX-RN Exam Prep question. As explained above: In suspected hypovolemic shock, elevating the client's legs promotes venous return to the heart, while increasing the IV fluid rate rapidly expands circulating volume. These actions are critical to i…