A nurse is caring for a client who reports feeling nauseous immediately following a procedure using moderate conscious sedation. Which of the following should be the nurse's priority action?

A. Turn the client on their side: Turning the client on their side helps maintain a patent airway and reduces the risk of aspiration if vomiting occurs. Airway protection is the highest priority following procedures with moderate sedation, as sedation can depress protective reflexes. B. Auscultate bowel sounds: While assessing bowel sounds is part of a gastrointestinal assessment, it does not address the immediate risk of airway compromise associated with nausea and potential vomiting after sedation. C. Administer ondansetron: Administering an antiemetic can relieve nausea, but it does not immediately protect the client from aspiration. Airway safety must be ensured before pharmacologic interventions. D. Ensure suction equipment is available: Having suction equipment ready is important for safety, but it is a preparatory step. The immediate action to prevent aspiration is positioning the client on their side.