A patient has her call light on and looks frightened when you enter the room. She has been on bed rest for 3 days following a fractured femur. She says, "It hurts when I try to breathe, and I can't catch my breath." Your first action is to _______.
A. Call the health care provider to report this change in condition.
B. Give the patient a paper bag to breathe into to decrease her anxiety.
C. Assess her vital signs, perform a respiratory assessment, and be prepared to start oxygen.
D. Explain that this is normal after such trauma and administer the ordered pain medication.