The nurse is assessing a client who has a history of kidney stones and returns to the clinic with flank pain. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?

A. Ask if the client took any pain medication at home: While this is important for evaluating pain management and potential medication interactions, it does not quantify the current pain level or guide immediate intervention. It should follow initial assessment. B. Use a standard pain assessment questionnaire and scale: This is the priority initial intervention. A thorough and objective pain assessment helps the nurse determine the severity, location, and nature of the pain, which is critical for guiding further evaluation and management. C. Collect a urine sample and strain for granules or calculi: Straining urine is important for diagnostic confirmation of kidney stones, but it is not the first action. Pain assessment should be completed first to guide symptom management and determine urgency. D. Observe for nonverbal signs to measure pain intensity: Observing nonverbal cues is useful, especially if the client cannot verbalize their pain. However, since the client is alert and able to report symptoms, a structured pain scale provides more accurate and standardized data.