What should a nurse do if a patient exhibits sudden changes in condition?

When a patient exhibits sudden changes in condition, the most appropriate response is to assess the patient immediately and determine if emergency services are needed. This action is critical because sudden changes can indicate a serious or potentially life-threatening situation that requires prompt intervention. An accurate and immediate assessment allows the nurse to gather vital information about the patient's current status, helping to identify any deterioration or urgent medical needs.

By prioritizing assessment, the nurse can recognize signs of distress, such as changes in vital signs, altered mental status, or new symptoms that could warrant calling for additional medical support. Timely intervention can be crucial in ensuring patient safety and improving outcomes.

In contrast, ignoring the changes and continuing with scheduled care may lead to a worsening of the patient’s condition, while merely documenting the changes without taking action does not address the immediate needs of the patient. Consulting with the family, although helpful for gathering information about the patient’s baseline condition, is secondary to performing a direct assessment and acting on any critical findings. Thus, the key action is immediate assessment to safeguard the patient's health.