A client has a prescription for intravenous piperacillin 3 g every 6 hours. Which action will the nurse take first before giving the first dose of the medication?
1. Check for known allergies to medications.
2. Ensure that the client's respiratory rate is over 12 breaths per minute.
3. Administer intravenous dexamethasone sodium phosphate 2 mg now.
4. Check the client's sitting and standing blood pressure.