A Patient Comes to the Clinic with a 4-Day History

A patient comes to the clinic with a 4-day history of 10 to 12 liquid stools each day.The patient reports seeing blood and mucus in the stools.The patient has had nausea but no vomiting.The primary care NP notes a temperature of 37.9° C,a heart rate of 96 beats per minute,and a blood pressure of 90/60 mm Hg.A physical examination reveals dry oral mucous membranes and capillary refill of 4 seconds.The NP's priority should be to:

A) obtain stool cultures.
B) begin rehydration therapy.
C) consider prescribing metronidazole.
D) administer opioid antidiarrheal medications.