A patient presents with signs of hypocalcemia, including tetany and positive Chvostek's sign. What intervention should the nurse prioritize?

Hypocalcemia is serum calcium <8.5 mg/dL causing increased neuromuscular excitability, tetany, paresthesias, and risk of laryngospasm or seizures. It results from hypoparathyroidism, vitamin D deficiency, or renal failure, leading to impaired calcium regulation and nerve instability. Rationale: A. Administering IV calcium gluconate rapidly corrects acute hypocalcemia and stabilizes neuromuscular activity. It is indicated in symptomatic patients with tetany or positive Chvostek’s sign. This intervention prevents life-threatening complications such as seizures and cardiac arrhythmias. B. Monitoring serum calcium levels is important for ongoing management but does not address acute symptoms. It provides data rather than immediate treatment. This action does not correct neuromuscular instability or relieve current manifestations. C. Providing calcium-rich dietary education supports long-term management of hypocalcemia. However, dietary intake does not act quickly enough in symptomatic cases. It is ineffective for immediate correction of acute deficiency and severe clinical manifestations. D. Oral calcium supplements are useful for chronic management but have delayed absorption and onset. They are not appropriate for severe symptomatic hypocalcemia. This intervention does not rapidly reverse tetany or prevent acute complications.