The Nurse Answers a Call Light and Finds the Patient

The nurse answers a call light and finds the patient gasping for breath and looking very anxious. Based on the patient’s history, the nurse believes the patient may be experiencing a pulmonary embolism (PE) . Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

A) Place the patient in a left lateral position.
B) Page the physician.
C) Yell for help and start oxygen.
D) Check the patient’s vital signs.