A nurse realizes that the wrong medication has been administered to a client. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

A. Report the incident to the nurse manager: Reporting to the nurse manager is important for institutional accountability and guidance, but it is not the immediate priority. The client’s safety must be addressed first. B. Measure the client's vital signs: Assessing the client’s current condition, including vital signs, is the first action because it identifies any immediate physiologic effects of the medication error. This assessment guides subsequent interventions and determines the urgency of notifying the provider. C. Fill out an incident report: Completing an incident report is required for documentation and quality improvement, but it is secondary to ensuring the client’s safety and assessing for adverse effects. D. Notify the provider: The provider must be informed to determine medical interventions, but this step follows the initial assessment of the client to establish their current status and identify any immediate threats to safety.