Final answer:
A client with a pulmonary embolism has critical ABG values indicating severe acidosis and hypoxemia. The first nursing action should be to notify the health care provider immediately due to the life-threatening nature of the findings.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question mentions a client with a pulmonary embolism and provides arterial blood gas (ABG) values that are significantly abnormal. Specifically, the pH of 4.5 is well below the normal range (7.35-7.45) and indicates a severe and life-threatening acidosis. The normal PCO₂ levels slightly differ between males and females, but the given value of 32 mmHg is relatively within normal limits. However, the HCO₃- level of 2 mM is drastically below the reference range of 22-29 mM, which underscores a severe metabolic acidosis. Additionally, the PO₂ of 70 mmHg and SaO₂ of 87% suggest hypoxemia, which is a lower-than-normal level of oxygen in the blood.
Given these findings, the immediate nursing action should likely be B) Notify the health care provider. The abnormal ABG results, and especially the critically low pH, indicate a medical emergency that requires urgent intervention by a physician. After notifying the health care provider, additional interventions such as administering oxygen may be warranted based on the healthcare provider's assessment and orders.