Nokea
A client with a spinal cord injury at T6 suddenly reports a pounding headache and blurred vision. What action should the nurse take first?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct action is to check the client's blood pressure first. A sudden onset of pounding headache and blurred vision in a client with a spinal cord injury at T6 can indicate autonomic dysreflexia. Checking the blood pressure is crucial as autonomic dysreflexia can lead to severe hypertension, which can result in life-threatening complications such as stroke or seizure. Immediate assessment and intervention are necessary to prevent further harm. Administering pain medication without addressing the underlying cause can exacerbate hypertension. Placing the client in a supine position can worsen symptoms, and increasing fluid intake does not address the immediate issue at hand. Therefore, checking the blood pressure is the priority to identify and manage autonomic dysreflexia effectively.