What is the first action a nurse should take when assisting a client out of bed for the first time after surgery?

The most appropriate first action for the nurse when assisting a client out of bed for the first time after surgery is to help the client sit and dangle their legs on the side of the bed. This approach is crucial in assessing the client's tolerance to upright positioning and helps prevent potential complications, such as orthostatic hypotension, which can occur when a person suddenly changes position after being immobile.

This initial step allows the client to gradually adjust to the upright position, giving their body time to adapt to the change in blood flow. It also enables the nurse to closely monitor the client's vital signs and overall response to the position change, ensuring safety and comfort. By allowing the client's legs to dangle, their body can begin to acclimatize to the gravitational changes that occur when moving from a supine to an upright position.

Placing a chair at a right angle, encouraging deep breathing, or letting the client sit in a high Fowler's position may be useful steps in the overall process of ambulation, but they do not address the immediate need for the client to safely transition from lying down to sitting up while closely monitoring their physical reaction.