An older adult client arrives to the emergency department after experiencing two days of fever, nausea, and vomiting. The client gives the nurse a bag of home medications and reports a history of insulin dependent diabetes mellitus with an onset of blurred vision. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?

A. While the use of absorbent undergarments is relevant to managing urinary incontinence, having them dry for 6 hours indicates that they are performing their function well in terms of absorbing urine. This finding does not immediately suggest a new issue that needs urgent further assessment.
B. A heel dressing saturated with serous drainage suggests that the stage II pressure ulcer on the left heel is producing a significant amount of fluid. Serous drainage is typically clear or light yellow and can indicate a wound that is still in the inflammatory phase of healing
C. Frequent requests for sleep medication can indicate issues with sleep patterns or underlying psychological stress. While it’s important to address sleep difficulties, this finding might not be as immediately critical as other concerns but warrants further assessment to address possible underlying causes and manage sleep issues appropriately.
D. Confusion about time, place, and environment in a newly admitted client is a significant finding and requires urgent further assessment. This level of confusion could be indicative of a serious issue such as delirium, which can be caused by various factors including infection, dehydration, metabolic imbalances, or a sudden change in environment.

A. Decreasing the rate of the feeding might be a consideration if the feeding was too rapid, but it is not the immediate priority if aspiration is suspected.
B. While it is important to monitor for allergic reactions to enteral formulas, this is not the immediate concern if aspiration is suspected. Allergic reactions would typically present with symptoms such as rash, itching, or gastrointestinal distress, and not immediately after aspiration.
C. Hanging a new bag of enteral formula is not an appropriate action if aspiration is suspected. The
priority is to ensure the client’s safety and address any complications that may arise from the aspiration, such as aspiration pneumonia.
D. Stopping the tube feeding and assessing the client is the most appropriate initial action if aspiration is suspected. Immediate assessment is necessary to determine if the client is experiencing signs of aspiration, such as coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing, or changes in consciousness.