A nurse is assessing a client who sustained a basal skull fracture and notes a thin stream of clear drainage coming from the client's right nostril. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

Choice A reason: Bradycardia, which is a slower than normal heart rate, is not a common finding associated with renal calculi. Renal calculi, or kidney stones, typically cause symptoms related to the urinary system rather than directly affecting the heart rate.

Choice B reason: Bradypnea, or abnormally slow breathing, is also not a typical symptom of renal calculi. Patients with kidney stones may experience changes in urination patterns, such as frequency or urgency, but not typically changes in respiratory rate.

Choice C reason: Severe pain is indeed the most common symptom associated with renal calculi. This pain, known as renal colic, is often sudden in onset, very severe, and may radiate from the back down to the lower abdomen or groin. The pain is caused by the stone moving into the ureter and causing a blockage, which leads to increased pressure and stretching of the kidney or ureter. Renal calculi can cause a range of symptoms, with severe pain being the most prominent and often the first symptom that leads individuals to seek medical care. The pain is typically very intense and can be accompanied by other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and hematuria (blood in the urine).

Choice D reason: Nocturia, or frequent urination at night, can be a symptom of renal calculi, especially if the stones affect the bladder or cause urinary tract infections. However, the most characteristic symptom of renal calculi is severe pain, not necessarily nocturia.

Choice A reason:Labeling the feeding bag with the date and time is important for tracking, but it is not the first action to take. The priority is to ensure that the NG tube is correctly placed and the stomach contents can be aspirated to verify placement before administering the feeding.

Choice B reason:Aspirating the client's stomach contents is the first action the nurse should take. This is to confirm the correct placement of the NG tube to prevent complications such as aspiration pneumonia. It is a critical step before starting any enteral feeding.

Choice C reason: Hanging the feeding bag 30 cm (12 inches) above the client is necessary for gravity feeding, but it comes after verifying the NG tube placement through aspiration of stomach contents.

Choice D reason:Warming the feeding to room temperature is a comfort measure and helps to prevent gastrointestinal discomfort. However, it is not the first action to take. The priority is to check the tube placement.