The nurse is caring for a patient experiencing epistaxis. What action should the nurse take first?

A. Obtain the patient's vital signs: While monitoring vital signs is important, especially for detecting hypovolemia or underlying causes like hypertension, it is not the immediate priority. The nurse must first attempt to control the bleeding to prevent aspiration and continued blood loss. B. Apply a cold compress to the patient's facial area: Cold compresses can help constrict blood vessels and reduce bleeding, but they are supportive measures. They should be done after primary pressure techniques have been initiated, not as the first-line intervention. C. Firmly pack the nostril with saline soaked gauze: Nasal packing is typically a secondary measure used when direct pressure fails to stop the bleeding. It is more invasive and usually performed by trained personnel if conservative measures are ineffective. D. Instruct the client to sit forward and pinch the nose below the nasal bone: Sitting forward prevents blood from flowing into the throat and airway, while pinching the soft part of the nose applies direct pressure to the bleeding vessels, which often successfully stops epistaxis.