Answer to Question 1
ANS: D
Fever and chills indicate systemic toxicity, which can lead to hemolytic reactions, kidney failure, pulmonary edema, cardiovascular collapse, and death. Assessing for a fever should be the nurse's priority. All other symptoms are normal for a brown recluse bite and should be assessed, but they do not provide information about complications from the bite, and therefore are not the priority.
Answer to Question 2
ANS: A
In this emergency situation, the nurse should immediately initiate airway clearance and ventilator support measures, including delivering rescue breaths.