Final answer:
The nurse should first Check vital signs when a patient presents with fever, nausea, and dysuria. This step is critical before obtaining a urine sample or taking other actions to manage symptoms such as dysuria, which may indicate a urinary tract infection.
Step-by-step explanation:
If a patient is presenting with a fever, nausea, and dysuria, the first action a nurse should take is to Check vital signs (C). Checking vital signs is a fundamental step in assessing the patient's overall condition and determining the severity of the illness. It can provide crucial information about the patient's hemodynamic status and help prioritize further interventions.
Following the initial assessment, obtaining a urine sample (B) is important for diagnosing conditions such as urinary tract infections (UTIs) which can present with these symptoms. The nurse should collect a urine sample only after she has a clear assessment of the patient's vital signs and stability.
Administering pain medication (A) or consulting with a specialist (D) might be necessary later. The course of antibiotics, such as ciprofloxacin, is commonly prescribed to treat bacterial infections like UTIs, especially after confirming the diagnosis with a urine culture.
It is essential for nurses to follow a standardized approach to patient care, initiating treatment based on clinical priorities and following evidence-based practices to ensure the best patient outcomes.