A nurse is admitting a client who reports recurrent flank pain and nausea for 24 hr. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

A. Strain the urine: Straining urine is important for identifying calculi in clients with suspected kidney stones, but it does not address the client’s immediate pain or discomfort. It is not the first action in prioritizing care. B. Ambulate in hall: Ambulation may help prevent complications such as venous stasis or promote stone passage in some cases, but it is not the priority when the client is experiencing acute flank pain and nausea. C. Monitor intake and output: Monitoring intake and output is important for assessing renal function and hydration status, but it does not provide immediate relief of the client’s acute pain or nausea. D. Administer pain medication: The client’s acute flank pain is the most urgent issue and requires prompt intervention. Managing pain first aligns with the priority of addressing actual physiological needs and stabilizing the client’s condition before other assessments or interventions.