While interviewing a newly admitted older female client, the nurse observes that the client ignores questions asked by the nurse, and speaks loudly to her son who brought her to the hospital. Which action should the nurse implement first?

A. Begin to orient the client to her surroundings in the hospital room. Orienting the client is important but does not address the immediate issue of possible hearing loss, which might be causing the client's behavior. B. Stand directly in front of the client and ask about any hearing loss. This is the best choice because it addresses the possible reason for the client's behavior directly. Standing in front of the client helps ensure she can see and hear the nurse clearly. C. Obtain a tuning fork to complete Rinne and Weber tuning fork tests. These tests are useful for diagnosing hearing loss but are not the first step. Initial assessment should involve direct communication to identify the issue. D. Perform a mental status exam to assess the client's thought processes. While assessing mental status is important, it does not address the immediate observation that the client may have hearing loss.