Upon admitting a client to a medical-surgical unit, what initial action should the nurse take?

The initial action a nurse should take upon admitting a client to a medical-surgical unit is to assess vital signs. This step is crucial because it provides essential baseline data about the patient's physiological status. Vital signs indicate the current health condition and can reveal any immediate issues that need to be addressed, such as elevated blood pressure, abnormal heart rate, or temperature changes that may signify infection or other complications.

While observing the client's level of mobility is important, it typically follows the assessment of vital signs in the nursing process. After determining the client's stability through vital signs, the nurse can then conduct a more thorough assessment that includes observing mobility, as this can also help identify potential risks, such as falls or the need for assistance.

The completion of admission paperwork is necessary for administrative purposes but does not directly contribute to immediate patient safety and care. Administering medication should be done only after a thorough assessment and determination of the need for medication, ensuring that it is safe to proceed.

Thus, assessing vital signs is the fundamental first step in establishing an understanding of the client’s health status and guiding subsequent actions and interventions.