A male client who had abdominal surgery 5 days ago, and hospitalized because of a surgical wound infection, tells the nurse that he feels like his insides just spilled out when he coughed. Which action should the nurse take first?

A. Visualize the abdominal incision: The client’s description strongly suggests wound dehiscence or evisceration, which is a surgical emergency. The nurse’s immediate action should be to inspect the incision to confirm the situation before taking further interventions. B. Obtain sterile towels soaked in saline: Applying sterile saline dressings is critical once evisceration is confirmed to prevent tissue drying and infection. However, this should follow visualization of the incision to validate the client’s report and guide correct intervention. C. Assure the client that such feelings occur with wound infections: Providing reassurance delays urgent assessment and intervention. Evisceration is not a sensation of infection and requires immediate action rather than reassurance. D. Notify the healthcare provider: The surgeon must be informed quickly if evisceration is confirmed, but assessment should precede notification. Prompt visualization ensures the nurse communicates accurate and timely findings to guide emergency treatment.