A 13 year old adolescent is brought to the Emergency Department after a near-drowning/submersion event. The child is coughing and having difficulty breathing. O2 saturation is 90% in room air, RR=26/min, HR=102/min. What is the priority intervention for the nurse to take?

The correct answer is D: Administer oxygen at 2L/min via face mask. In a near-drowning event, the child is likely experiencing hypoxia due to water entering the lungs. The priority is to ensure adequate oxygenation to prevent further complications. Administering oxygen via face mask at 2L/min will help improve oxygen saturation. Checking capillary refill (B) and having the child sit upright (C) are important assessments but not the priority when the child is in respiratory distress. Administering sedation (A) can potentially depress the respiratory drive further, making the situation worse.