A nurse is caring for a client who was administered more than the prescribed dose of a medication. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

Rationale A. Educate the client about potential adverse effects: Education is important but is not the immediate priority. Ensuring the client’s physiological stability takes precedence over providing information after an overdose. Education can follow once the client’s condition is assessed. B. Complete an incident report: Completing an incident report is necessary for documentation and quality improvement, but it does not address the client’s immediate safety. Reporting comes after assessing and stabilizing the client. C. Obtain the client's vital signs: Assessing vital signs is the first action because it provides critical information about the client’s current physiological status. Monitoring for changes in blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation helps identify early signs of adverse reactions and guides urgent interventions. D. Notify the primary care provider: Notifying the provider is important to determine further medical management, but it should occur after assessing the client’s vital signs to provide accurate and current information about their condition. Immediate assessment ensures timely and appropriate provider guidance.