A 6-year-old girl with a urinary tract infection has the following vital signs: HR 118, BP 102/68, RR 22, temperature 39.1°C (102.4°F). What is the nurse's priority action?

A. Obtain a urine specimen for culture: A urine culture is important to identify the causative organism and guide antibiotic therapy. However, this child is febrile and tachycardic, suggesting systemic infection, so treatment should not be delayed. B. Administer prescribed broad-spectrum IV antibiotics: With fever, tachycardia, and a confirmed UTI, the child is at risk for progression to pyelonephritis or sepsis. Prompt IV antibiotic administration is the priority to control infection and prevent complications. C. Encourage increased fluid intake: Hydration helps flush bacteria from the urinary tract and supports kidney function. While important, it does not take precedence over immediate infection control with antibiotics. D. Administer prescribed antipyretic for fever: Reducing fever provides comfort and lowers metabolic demand. However, antipyretics do not treat the underlying infection, so they are supportive but not the priority action.