During the early postoperative period, a client who has undergone a cataract extraction complains of nausea and severe eye pain over the operative site. What should be the initial nursing action?

Call the health care provider (HCP).Reassure the client that this is normal.Turn the client onto his or her operative side.Administer the prescribed pain medication and antiemetic.

Explanation.

Severe pain or pain accompanied by nausea following a cataract extraction is an indicator of increased intraocular pressure and should be reported to the HCP immediately. Options 2, 3, and 4 are inappropriate actions.