The nurse assesses a patient experiencing atrial fibrillation. The patient has new onset palmar drift and an unsteady gait. Which is the priority action for the nurse to take?

A. Document symptoms in the patient's electronic medical record: While documentation is a vital nursing responsibility, it is a secondary action that follows the stabilization and reporting of acute clinical changes. Delaying notification to record data could postpone life-saving interventions for a potential embolic event. Initial priority must focus on immediate provider communication. B. Perform passive range of motion to further evaluate the musculoskeletal system: Passive range of motion assesses joint flexibility and is not the appropriate diagnostic tool for an acute neurological deficit. Palmar drift indicates an upper motor neuron lesion rather than a primary articular or muscular restriction. This step would waste critical time in a stroke-suspect patient. C. Ask the unit tech to bring a walker to the patient's bedside: Providing a walker addresses a safety concern but ignores the underlying pathological cause of the new-onset gait instability and drift. In the context of atrial fibrillation, these symptoms strongly suggest a thromboembolic stroke. Management must prioritize medical diagnosis over long-term mobility aids. D. Notify the Health Care Provider about the patient's symptoms: Patients with atrial fibrillation are at high risk for cardioembolic stroke, and new-onset palmar drift is a definitive focal neurological deficit. Immediate notification of the provider is the priority to initiate the stroke protocol and imaging. Rapid intervention is essential to preserve viable neural tissue.