What is the nurse's priority action for a client with a C4 spinal cord injury exhibiting bradycardia?

In the case of a client with a C4 spinal cord injury exhibiting bradycardia, the priority action is to administer atropine. This is because bradycardia in a patient with a high cervical spine injury may be a result of autonomic dysreflexia or loss of sympathetic tone, leading to a significant decrease in heart rate. Atropine is an anticholinergic medication that works by blocking the effects of the vagus nerve, which can help to increase heart rate in this situation.

Administration of atropine is often the first-line treatment for bradycardia in the context of a spinal cord injury, as it can quickly alleviate the acute condition and stabilize the patient. Timely intervention is critical in such cases since severe bradycardia can lead to decreased cardiac output and potential cardiovascular complications.

While other actions such as preparing the client for intubation, obtaining ABGs, or initiating intravenous fluid replacement may be considerations in a comprehensive care plan, they do not directly address the immediate concern of bradycardia. Intubation would be warranted if the patient is unable to maintain their airway, and ABGs could provide data on respiratory function and acid-base status, but neither acts to correct the bradycardia itself