What is the nurse's priority action for a client with a left hip fracture scheduled for surgery?

For a client with a left hip fracture scheduled for surgery, the priority action is pain management. When dealing with a fracture, the individual typically experiences significant pain, which can hinder mobility, affect mental well-being, and complicate overall clinical outcomes. Effective pain management is crucial to help stabilize the patient's condition, enhance comfort, and facilitate the cooperation needed for surgical procedures.

Addressing pain adequately not only improves the client's experience but also assists in reducing anxiety, which can be heightened as surgery approaches. Proper pain management ensures that the surgical team can provide necessary interventions more effectively, as patients who are in less pain may be more compliant and cooperative during pre-operative assessments and preparations.

Other actions, while important, may not prioritize the immediate needs of the patient in this context. For instance, promoting sleep and rest could be beneficial after pain is effectively managed, as it contributes to healing and recovery. Encouraging therapeutic communications is vital for emotional support, but it should not take precedence over alleviating acute pain, especially in an emergency or urgent pre-operative setting. Maintaining standard precautions is essential for infection control, but it is a routine aspect of nursing care and does not directly address the pressing issue of pain management in this scenario.