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What should be the nurse's first action for a client who has sustained a spinal cord injury?

  • A. Immobilize the spine
  • B. Assess the client's airway
  • C. Place the client in a supine position
  • D. Encourage deep breathing
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Place the client in a supine position. This is the first action because it helps prevent further injury to the spinal cord by maintaining alignment. Immobilizing the spine (choice A) is important but should come after placing the client in a supine position. Assessing the client's airway (choice B) is crucial but not the first action in a spinal cord injury. Encouraging deep breathing (choice D) is not appropriate as the priority is to stabilize the spine. In summary, placing the client in a supine position is the initial step to prevent worsening of the spinal cord injury, while the other choices are important but secondary actions.