After a week of bedrest, a client is being assisted to a chair for the first time. The nurse raises the head of the bed and moves the client to a sitting position. Which action should the nurse implement?

A. Place the chair by the bed: Positioning the chair next to the bed can help facilitate a safe transfer, but it is not the priority immediately after the client is moved to a sitting position. After prolonged bedrest, clients are at high risk for orthostatic hypotension. The nurse should first assess the client’s tolerance to the position change before proceeding with transfer activities. B. Support the client when rising: Providing physical support during standing is important to prevent falls; however, the client should not be assisted to stand immediately after sitting up following extended bedrest. Rapid changes in posture may lead to dizziness, syncope, or hypotension. The nurse must first determine the client’s physiologic response to sitting. C. Offer a pair of nonskid socks: Nonskid socks help reduce the risk of slipping during ambulation or transfer and are an appropriate safety intervention. However, this action is relevant only after confirming that the client can tolerate sitting and is ready to proceed with standing or walking. The immediate priority is assessing the client’s response to the initial position change. D. Determine how the client feels: After a week of bedrest, clients commonly experience orthostatic hypotension due to cardiovascular deconditioning and impaired autonomic compensation. Assessing how the client feels allows the nurse to identify symptoms such as dizziness, lightheadedness, or weakness before progressing to standing. This helps prevent falls and syncope by ensuring the client is physiologically stable before continuing transfer.