A person undergoing mechanical ventilation following a severe chest wall injury and flail chest complains of chest tightness, anxiety and feeling as though she cannot get enough air. She is afraid she...

A person undergoing mechanical ventilation following a severe chest wall injury and flail chest complains of chest tightness, anxiety and feeling as though she cannot get enough air. She is afraid she is having a heart attack. The nurse should first:

1 administer prescribed analgesic

2 contact respiratory therapy to evaluate ventilator settings

3 obtain arterial blood gases

4 notify the physician