A client with a blunt chest injury is showing signs of closed pneumothorax. What should the nurse do first?

Positioning the client in a semi-Fowler position is an appropriate initial action when dealing with signs of closed pneumothorax. This position helps promote optimal lung expansion and can enhance ventilation, which is crucial for a client experiencing respiratory distress or impaired gas exchange due to pneumothorax. The semi-Fowler position helps reduce the pressure on the lungs, potentially alleviating some symptoms associated with the accumulation of air in the pleural space.

While notifying the healthcare provider, administering oxygen, and other interventions are important components of care, the immediate priority is to stabilize the client's condition and support their breathing. Proper positioning is a fundamental nursing intervention that can provide immediate benefit in improving respiratory function before further actions are taken.