Final answer:
The first action a nurse should take in managing a client with somatic symptom disorder is to check vital signs to obtain objective data on the client's physical health status, which is essential before addressing subjective symptoms or administering treatments.
Step-by-step explanation:
In managing a client with somatic symptom disorder, the nurse's first action should be to check vital signs. This initial step is crucial because it provides objective data about the client's current physical health status, which is important for any subsequent care or intervention.
After ensuring that the client is physically stable, the nurse can then proceed to monitor the client's physical manifestations, assess for potential secondary gains from illness, and address pain relief as necessary.
It is worth noting that while symptoms of disease are subjective and reported by the patient, such as in the case of pain, clinicians often utilize scales like the Wong-Baker Faces pain-rating scale to quantify the symptom.
However, objective measures like checking vital signs provide critical data that can guide the treatment plan for someone with somatic symptom disorder.