A nurse is caring for a client who has sustained a severe head trauma and has significant bleeding from the nose. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

Airway management is always the first priority using the ABCs framework. In a client with severe head trauma and nasal bleeding, the airway may be compromised by blood, secretions, or altered consciousness. Establishing a patent airway is the immediate first action. Direct pressure to a traumatically bleeding nose may be contraindicated if there is a basilar skull fracture — the nurse should not apply nasal pressure without ruling this out. IV access and CT scan are important subsequent actions.