Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 87%
Full-length
After assisting a client with a lower gastrointestinal bleed back to bed, the nurse finds approximately 600 mL of frank red blood in the toilet. The client is pale and diaphoretic and reports dizziness. Which action should the nurse perform first?
Correct answer
C
Rationale
Significant bleeding (600 mL), pallor, diaphoresis, and dizziness suggest hypovolemia. Lowering the head of the bed improves cerebral perfusion, stabilizing the client. Notification, labs, and documentation follow stabilization.