A nurse is caring for a child who reports migraine headaches for the past 4 months. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

Rationale: A. While support groups may be helpful for long-term coping with chronic migraines, this is not the priority initial nursing action. The nurse must first assess available data before making referrals or psychosocial interventions. B. The first nursing action is to assess and analyze existing data. A pain diary provides critical information about headache frequency, triggers, duration, severity, and response to interventions. Reviewing this information helps the nurse identify patterns and determine appropriate next steps in care planning. C. Coordination with the school nurse may be beneficial for managing triggers or ensuring support during school hours, but it is not the first action. Assessment must occur before implementing or coordinating interventions. D. Medication changes should not be requested without first reviewing the client’s symptom history and response patterns. The nurse must gather and analyze assessment data before suggesting pharmacologic adjustments.