The nurse has completed a preoperative assessment for a patient about to undergo surgery and gathers assessment data.Of the following,which would be the most important next step?

A) Notify the operating suite that the patient has a latex allergy.
B) Document that the patient had a bath at home this morning.
C) Ask the nursing assistant to obtain vital signs.
D) Administer the ordered preoperative intravenous antibiotic.

Innumerable products that contain latex are used in the operating suite and the PACU.For a patient with this allergy,special considerations are required for preparation of the room and the types of tubes,gloves,drapes,and instruments utilized.Ensuring that the patient has a safe environment takes time,and if the correct supplies are not available,awaiting their arrival may cancel or delay the case.Obtaining vital signs,documenting,and administering medications are all part of the process and should be done-with the latex allergy in mind.However,making sure that the operating suite and PACU are safe environments is the first step.