What is the first action a nurse should take if a client is suspected of having a gastrointestinal bleed while on NSAIDs?

Monitoring vital signs closely is the appropriate first action for a nurse to take when a client is suspected of having a gastrointestinal bleed, especially in the context of NSAID use. Vital signs can provide critical information regarding the client's hemodynamic stability. For instance, a drop in blood pressure or an increase in heart rate can indicate significant blood loss, necessitating immediate clinical intervention.

In cases of gastrointestinal bleeding, timely recognition of changes in vital signs allows healthcare providers to assess the severity of the situation. If there is evidence of instability, such as tachycardia or hypotension, further actions, such as notifying the physician or obtaining diagnostic tests, would become urgent to manage potential complications.

While notifying the physician is crucial and obtaining a complete blood count can help assess the level of bleeding, these actions should follow the initial assessment of the patient's vital signs. Educating the client about dietary restrictions, while important for long-term management and prevention, does not address the immediate concern of a suspected active bleed. Hence, the focus should be on stabilizing the client and assessing their condition first.