A nurse is preparing to administer the first dose of cefazolin via intermittent IV infusion to a client. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

Rationale: A. The first priority before administering any medication, especially a first dose of an antibiotic like cefazolin (a cephalosporin), is to assess for allergies. This helps prevent potentially life-threatening hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis. The nurse must verify whether the client has a history of allergy to cephalosporins or penicillins due to possible cross-reactivity. B. IV compatibility is important but comes after ensuring it is safe to administer the medication to the client. If the client has an allergy, compatibility becomes irrelevant because the medication should not be given. C. While IV patency is necessary before infusion, it is not the first priority. Client safety (allergy screening) always comes before line assessment and administration preparation steps. D. Obtaining the medication occurs later in the preparation process. It should only be done after confirming it is safe for the client, including reviewing allergies and the medication order.