A nurse is admitting a client who has an exacerbation of ulcerative colitis. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

A. Emotional support is important but is not the priority during an acute exacerbation. B. While useful for long-term management, it is not the immediate priority. C. Skin care is important due to frequent diarrhea, but addressing life-threatening complications takes precedence. D. Clients with ulcerative colitis exacerbations are at high risk for fluid and electrolyte imbalances due to severe diarrhea. Identifying and correcting these imbalances is the priority intervention.