Final answer:
The first action in a medical-surgical situation is to gather relevant patient information and assess the situation before proceeding with other actions.
Step-by-step explanation:
In a medical-surgical situation, the first action you should take is to gather relevant patient information and assess the situation. This includes confirming the patient's identity, reviewing critical concerns and anticipated events, and evaluating the patient's airway and risk of aspiration. Only after this initial assessment should you proceed to notify the healthcare provider and administer prescribed medications or perform a comprehensive physical examination.