A nurse is caring for a client who is requesting pain medication. Which of the following actions should the nurse perform first?

Choice A rationale Administering pain medication without a complete assessment is unsafe and violates nursing standards. The nurse must first understand the nature, location, and severity of the pain to ensure the prescribed medication is appropriate. For example, if the pain is new or different, it could signify a medical emergency like a myocardial infarction or a surgical complication. Assessment is the first step of the nursing process and must be completed before any pharmacological intervention occurs. Choice B rationale Asking the client the location of the pain is the priority action because it is the first step in a thorough pain assessment. The nurse must determine the site, intensity using a 0 to 10 scale, quality, and duration of the pain. Collecting this objective and subjective data allows the nurse to identify the potential cause and select the most appropriate intervention. Effective pain management relies on accurate data collection to ensure patient safety and effective treatment outcomes. Choice C rationale Repositioning the client is a non-pharmacological comfort measure that can be very helpful, but it should not be the first action. While it may alleviate pressure or discomfort, the nurse must first assess the pain to ensure that repositioning is safe and appropriate. If the pain is due to a fracture or a wound dehiscence, moving the client without a proper assessment could cause further injury. Assessment always takes priority over implementing a comfort-based intervention. Choice D rationale Reviewing the effects of pain medications is an important part of the planning and evaluation phases of the nursing process, but it is not the first action when a client is currently experiencing pain. The nurse must prioritize the immediate needs of the client by assessing the current pain level and location first. Education and review of side effects can occur after the initial assessment is finished and as the nurse prepares to administer the treatment.