A nurse is caring for a client who has acute pulmonary edema. Which of the following is the priority nursing intervention?

A. Insert an indwelling urinary catheter: This may be necessary to monitor fluid output after diuretic therapy, but it is not the immediate priority when oxygenation is compromised due to fluid in the lungs. B. Administer an IV diuretic: Diuretics help reduce fluid overload, which is key in managing pulmonary edema, but oxygenation must be addressed first to stabilize the client and prevent hypoxia. C. Initiate oxygen via face mask: The most urgent concern in acute pulmonary edema is impaired gas exchange. Administering oxygen immediately helps improve oxygenation and is the priority intervention to address life-threatening hypoxia. D. Request an analysis of ABGs: While ABG results are important to assess respiratory function and guide further treatment, drawing labs takes time. Oxygen administration should not be delayed in order to obtain lab values.