An infant with pyloric stenosis presents with: HR 180 bpm, BP 70/38 mmHg, RR 62, temperature 37.8°C. The infant has sunken fontanels, poor skin turgor, and their labs are consistent with metabolic alkalosis. What is the nurse's priority?

A. Administer IV fluids to correct dehydration and electrolyte imbalance: The infant shows signs of severe dehydration, hypovolemic shock, and metabolic alkalosis. IV fluid and electrolyte replacement is the immediate priority to stabilize circulation before any surgical intervention. B. Place infant prone to improve gastric emptying: Positioning does not correct the underlying obstruction or the critical dehydration. Prone positioning may increase aspiration risk and does not address the infant’s unstable condition. C. Offer small, frequent feeds of oral rehydration solution: Oral fluids are inappropriate because of persistent vomiting and gastric outlet obstruction. The infant cannot tolerate oral intake, and IV fluids are required instead. D. Prepare infant for immediate surgical pyloromyotomy: Surgery is the definitive treatment for pyloric stenosis, but it cannot be safely performed until the infant is stabilized with IV fluids and electrolytes. Immediate surgery without correction of shock would carry high risk.