A disoriented and agitated patient comes to the emergency department after using methamphetamine. Vital signs are blood pressure 162/98, heart rate 142 and irregular, and respirations 32. The most important intervention by the nurse is to

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The priority is to ensure physiologic stability given that methamphetamine use can lead to complications such as myocardial infarction. The other actions also are appropriate but are not of as high a priority.

A Disoriented and Agitated Patient Comes to the Emergency Department