When assisting a patient with respiratory distress, what is the first nursing action?

When assisting a patient experiencing respiratory distress, the most critical initial action is to assess the client's respiratory rate and rhythm. This step is essential for identifying the severity of the distress and understanding the patient's breathing pattern. By evaluating these parameters, the nurse can gather vital information regarding the patient's oxygenation and ventilation status, which informs the subsequent interventions.

Understanding how fast the patient is breathing (respiratory rate) and whether there are any irregularities or difficulties (respiratory rhythm) helps the nurse determine the urgency of the situation and the appropriate care plan. This assessment is foundational and guides the nurse in deciding on further actions, such as the need for supplemental oxygen, medications, or position adjustments to enhance breathing.

In this scenario, immediate intervention without first assessing could lead to ineffective or inappropriate care, so the assessment takes precedence in the sequence of care.