Which patient characteristic increases the risk for pernicious anemia following a subtotal gastrectomy?  

The 48-year-old patient is brought via ambulance to the emergency room after being found unresponsive by her son. She has a prescription for transdermal fentanyl patches for treatment of cancer pain related to her breast cancer that has metastasized to her pelvis. The patient’s heart rate is 72 bpm, respiratory rate is 4 breaths per minute, and her oxygen saturation is 88%. Her arterial blood gas results are: pH 7.21, PaCO₂ 72 mmHg, PaO₂ 74, HCO₃¯ 23. A thorough assessment reveals 2 fentanyl patches on the patient’s skin. The nurse advocates for which initial action?  

The 75-year-old patient presents to the emergency department complaining of a severe headache that is localized behind the right eye. The patient is nauseous and vomits upon standing. While wearing glasses, the visual acuity is 20/25 in the left eye and 20/110 in the right (records show it is normally also 20/25 corrected). Her left pupil is equal, round, and reactive to light and accommodation; it is measured at 3 mm. Her right pupil reacts only minimally to light and measures at 5 mm; it is round. The provider palpates the eye and reports that it is tense. Her heart rate is 102 bpm and blood pressure is 118/84 mmHg. The nurse anticipates providing which intervention first?