A 70-year-old female with fatigue presents with a heart rate of 50 and blood pressure of 70/40. What is the nurse's first priority?

In this scenario, the patient presents with significant signs of potential cardiovascular compromise, indicated by her low heart rate and hypotensive blood pressure. The primary concern is the patient's safety and immediate medical needs. Placing her in a room, performing an electrocardiogram (EKG), and notifying the physician are critical actions that address the potentially serious condition, such as bradycardia or an altered hemodynamic status.

By conducting an EKG, the nurse can quickly assess the heart's rhythm and identify any arrhythmias or ischemic changes that might require urgent intervention. Notifying the physician ensures that the patient receives timely medical attention, which is essential given that her vital signs indicate she is in a potentially unstable condition.

In the context of the other options, offering medications for pain, either Motrin or Tylenol, is not appropriate at this time as the primary focus should be on addressing her critical vital signs. Continuing the triage and history and finishing paperwork would delay necessary interventions that could be vital for her condition, making these choices less urgent compared to the actions outlined. Thus, prioritizing immediate assessment and action to safeguard the patient aligns with the principles of critical patient care.