During a home visit two days after treatment for a urinary tract infection, an LPN finds a 52-year-old client with type 2 diabetes flushed and shivering. Temperature is 39.5°C (103.1°F), HR 118/min, RR 24/min and BP 100/62 mm Hg. The client, normally fully oriented, now knows only their name. The last recorded temperature was 37.2°C. The existing plan includes comfort measures and reporting a change in condition. What should the LPN do first?
- Record the change in the visit note without notifying the RN or prescriber now.
- Continue cooling until the temperature is normal before requesting further assessment.
- Provide routine care independently and plan to notify the RN only if the confusion persists tomorrow.
- Activate emergency medical evaluation and notify the RN about the new confusion and vital-sign changes.