Six days following a minor vehicle crash, an older client returns to the emergency department to have stitches removed. While the nurse is removing the stitches, the client reports feeling bloated and not having a bowel movement since the accident. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?

A. Increase fibre in diet and add daily prune juice: Increasing dietary fibre and adding prune juice can help promote bowel movements and relieve constipation. However, this is a long-term solution and might not address any immediate underlying issues.B. Perform a digital examination for faecal impaction: This invasive procedure can confirm or rule out faecal impaction, which is a potential cause of severe constipation, especially in older adults. However, it's not typically the first step without further assessment.C. Assess type and frequency of physical activities: Physical activity affects bowel motility. Assessing activity levels can provide insight into one possible cause of constipation. However, this should come after assessing more direct symptoms.D. Check bowel sounds and abdominal tenderness: This is a non-invasive initial assessment that can provide important information about the client's bowel activity and potential obstructions. It helps determine the next steps for diagnosis and treatment.