A patient comes to the clinic with a 4-day history of 10 to 12 liquid stools each day. The patient ...

A patient comes to the clinic with a 4-day history of 10 to 12 liquid stools each day. The patient reports seeing blood and mucus in the stools. The patient has had nausea but no vomiting. The primary care NP notes a temperature of 37.
 
  9 C, a heart rate of 96 beats per minute, and a blood pressure of 90/60 mm Hg. A physical examination reveals dry oral mucous membranes and capillary refill of 4 seconds. The NP's priority should be to: a. obtain stool cultures.
  b. begin rehydration therapy.
  c. consider prescribing metronidazole.
  d. administer opioid antidiarrheal medications.