Final answer:
The first action to take if a patient has autonomic dysreflexia is to assess and relieve the cause of irritation. This is a potentially life-threatening condition requiring immediate attention to prevent complications like stroke or seizures.
Step-by-step explanation:
If a patient has autonomic dysreflexia, the first thing to do would be c. Assess and relieve the cause of irritation. Autonomic dysreflexia is a condition in which there is a sudden and exaggerated autonomic nervous system response to a stimulus, typically in individuals with spinal cord injuries above T6. This condition is considered a medical emergency and is characterized by a rapid increase in blood pressure, which can lead to stroke or seizures if not promptly managed.
Alleviating the cause of irritation can include measures such as checking for a full bladder or bowel and rectifying these issues, removing tight clothing, or addressing any other potential triggers. Interventions such as elevating the patient's legs or altering room temperature might be necessary afterwards, but the initial action should focus on identifying and addressing the primary cause of the dysreflexia.