A nurse suspects an air embolism in a client with a central venous catheter who suddenly develops dyspnea and chest pain. Place the following actions in the correct order.

Clamping the central line prevents further air entry. Positioning the client in left lateral Trendelenburg traps air in the right atrium, preventing it from entering the pulmonary artery. Administering 100% oxygen helps reduce the size of the air embolus by promoting nitrogen washout. The healthcare provider must be notified for further intervention, which may include aspiration of air. Monitoring vital signs is essential to detect deterioration. This sequence addresses the source, traps the air, supports oxygenation, and initiates medical management.

Use the client-specific assessment findings and timing in the scenario rather than a memorized diagnosis label.

Connect the relevant cues to the safest nursing interpretation and action for this exact care setting.

The distractors are plausible in another context but are unsupported, mistimed, lower priority, or incomplete for the findings presented.

Address immediate threats first, stay within nursing scope, and reassess the client after the selected intervention.

For central-line air embolism response, select responses that are both clinically supported and appropriate at this point in care.

• air embolism — A potentially fatal condition where air enters the venous system and obstructs blood flow, often associated with central lines.
• Priority assessment — Focused assessment used to identify the most urgent client need.
• Safety intervention — A nursing action selected to reduce immediate preventable harm.