A nurse is assisting with the care of a toddler who has a septal defect and is scheduled for a cardiac catheterization. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Cardiac catheterization involves the injection of a contrast dye to visualize cardiac structures and blood flow. The dye used in this procedure is iodine-based, making allergy to iodine or shellfish (which naturally contain iodine) a critical contraindication or risk factor. The nurse must assess for iodine allergy prior to the procedure to prevent a potentially life-threatening anaphylactic reaction to the contrast medium. This pre-procedure assessment is a standard and essential safety check. Giving the toddler clear liquids prior to the procedure is incorrect; the child should be kept NPO (nothing by mouth) for a specified period before cardiac catheterization to reduce aspiration risk while the child is sedated. Administering meperidine for pain immediately following the procedure is inappropriate in pediatric practice; meperidine is generally avoided in children due to its toxic metabolite normeperidine, which can cause seizures. Safer alternatives such as morphine or fentanyl are preferred for pediatric pain management. Checking vital signs once per hour following the procedure is insufficient; post-catheterization monitoring requires frequent vital sign checks every 15 minutes initially, then every 30 minutes, because of the risk of hemorrhage at the catheter insertion site, vasospasm, arrhythmias, and other acute complications.