A male preoperative client who has already signed the informed consent for a surgical procedure confides to the practical nurse (PN) that he is really frightened and unsure about undergoing the surgery. Which priority action should the PN take?

A. Remind the client that the consent has already been obtained: Simply reminding the client about the signed consent does not address the underlying fear or anxiety, and it may make the client feel dismissed rather than supported. B. Notify the charge nurse of the client's concerns about surgery: Communicating the client’s fears to the charge nurse ensures that appropriate support, counseling, or additional education can be provided before surgery. Addressing emotional readiness is essential to uphold ethical and patient-centered care. C. Document that the client has expressed concerns about the surgery: Documentation is important but is not sufficient as an initial intervention. Immediate communication with the healthcare team is necessary to ensure the client receives timely support. D. Encourage the client to continue with the scheduled surgery: Encouraging the client to proceed without addressing fears may increase anxiety and compromise informed consent. The client’s emotional state should be evaluated and supported before proceeding