A patient with a cast complains of severe pain and reduced pulse. What should the nurse do first?

In this scenario, the patient is exhibiting signs of potential complications related to their cast, specifically severe pain and reduced pulse. These symptoms may indicate issues such as compartment syndrome, which is a medical emergency that can lead to severe tissue damage if not treated promptly.

When faced with such urgent symptoms, the first priority is to contact the healthcare provider. This step ensures that the patient receives immediate evaluation and necessary intervention, which may include further assessment, imaging, or even surgical intervention. The health care provider is in the best position to decide on the necessary actions for patient safety based on clinical judgment.

Other options, while they may provide some degree of symptom relief, do not address the immediate concern of a potential life-threatening condition. Checking medication administration time, elevating the extremity, or applying ice may offer some palliative care but do not replace the need for professional input in the face of severe symptoms indicative of possible complications.