A nurse in an outpatient clinic assesses a 78-year-old client who reports a sudden, severe headache, eye pain, and blurred vision. The client's intraocular pressure is significantly elevated. Which nursing action is the most appropriate?

A. Document the findings and instruct the client to monitor symptoms: Simply documenting and monitoring ignores the urgency of the situation. Elevated intraocular pressure with acute symptoms suggests acute angle-closure glaucoma, which can lead to permanent vision loss if not treated immediately. B. Administer prescribed analgesics and observe for symptom improvement: Analgesics may relieve pain but do not address the dangerously high intraocular pressure. This delays definitive treatment and risks rapid progression of optic nerve damage. C. Notify the provider immediately and prepare the client for emergency treatment: Sudden headache, eye pain, blurred vision, and high intraocular pressure are hallmarks of acute angle-closure glaucoma. This is a medical emergency that requires urgent ophthalmologic intervention to prevent irreversible blindness. D. Reassure the client and schedule an ophthalmology consult for the next day: Delaying care until the next day puts the client at high risk of permanent vision loss. Immediate emergency treatment is required rather than routine referral.