A nurse encounters a client sitting on the floor in the hallway. The client says they slipped on some water on the floor and now their arm hurts. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

Rationale: A. This option is correct because the nurse’s first and highest priority is to ensure the client’s safety and assess for actual or potential injury. When a client reports a fall and pain, the nurse must immediately perform a focused assessment, checking for pain, swelling, deformity, range of motion, bleeding, or signs of head or spinal injury. This assessment guides all further actions and helps prevent worsening of a possible injury. B. This option is incorrect because notifying the risk management department is an administrative and follow-up responsibility. While it is important for documentation and quality improvement, it should only be done after the client has been assessed, stabilized, and appropriate care has been initiated. C. This option is incorrect because moving the client back to bed without first assessing for injuries could exacerbate a fracture, dislocation, or spinal injury. The nurse must determine whether it is safe to move the client and whether additional help or equipment is required before repositioning. D. This option is incorrect because addressing the environmental hazard, such as drying the floor and posting warning signs, helps prevent future incidents but does not address the immediate needs of the injured client. Client assessment and safety take priority over environmental and preventive measures.