A client has been on bed rest following a cerebrovascular accident or stroke that occurred two days ago. On the third day, the plan of care includes getting the client out of bed and into a bedside chair. Prior to assisting the client out of bed for the first time, which action should the nurse take?

A. While assessing brain stem reflexes can provide valuable information about the neurological status of the client, it is not the immediate priority when preparing to move a client from bed to a chair. Brain stem reflexes are more relevant for assessing overall neurological function and response to stimuli, but they do not directly inform the safety and readiness of the client for physical activity.
B. Assessing the pupillary response is important for evaluating neurological function and consciousness levels. However, it is not directly related to assessing the client’s readiness to be moved from bed to a chair. Pupillary response does not provide specific information about the client’s hemodynamic stability or immediate readiness for physical activity.
C. Assessing the client’s blood pressure is crucial, especially after a stroke, as the client may be at risk for orthostatic hypotension (a sudden drop in blood pressure when standing up). Checking blood pressure helps ensure that the client is hemodynamically stable and can tolerate the change in position without risking dizziness, fainting, or other complications.
D. Offering the client the opportunity to void before getting out of bed is a practical measure to ensure comfort and avoid accidents. It helps prevent the need for the client to seek the bathroom immediately after being moved to the chair, which could be disorienting or potentially hazardous.

A. Allowing privacy for the family and client is a compassionate and appropriate action, especially as the client's death is imminent. This respects the client's wishes and provides a supportive environment for the family to process their emotions and say their goodbyes.
B. Continuously measuring blood pressure in this scenario is less appropriate because the client is in the final stages of life and their focus should be on comfort rather than monitoring vital signs. Frequent blood pressure measurements may be distressing for the family and do not align with the goals of end- of-life care, which prioritize comfort and dignity.
C. Teaching the family to use an oral suction device is not appropriate at this stage because the client is actively dying, and such interventions are not typically useful or necessary in end-of-life care. The focus should be on providing comfort rather than invasive procedures or teaching new skills to family members.
D. Applying oxygen and elevating the head of the bed can be appropriate interventions for clients experiencing respiratory distress; however, this may conflict with the advance directive if the directive explicitly states no resuscitative measures