What initial nursing intervention is suitable for a client admitted with acute abdominal pain due to pelvic inflammatory disease?

In the context of a client admitted with acute abdominal pain due to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), performing a urinalysis is an important initial nursing intervention. This assessment helps determine whether the abdominal pain may be related to a urinary tract infection (UTI) or other renal issues that could mimic or compound the symptoms of PID.

In cases of pelvic inflammatory disease, it's crucial to differentiate between various potential causes of abdominal pain. A urinalysis can provide critical information regarding the presence of infection, blood, or other abnormalities in the urine. This information can guide further diagnostic and treatment decisions quickly, ensuring that the nurse and healthcare team take appropriate and timely actions based on the client's specific condition.

While administering pain relief medications, conducting a full abdominal assessment, and starting intravenous fluids are also valuable interventions, the urinalysis serves as a foundational step that could influence the overall approach to managing the patient's care. By ruling out urinary causes of the pain, the healthcare team can focus their assessment and treatment specifically on pelvic inflammatory disease and make informed decisions moving forward.