When a client has eviscerated after abdominal surgery, what action should the nurse take first?

When a client experiences evisceration after abdominal surgery, the immediate priority is to notify the surgeon. Evisceration, which involves the protrusion of internal organs through a wound, is a surgical emergency that requires prompt medical intervention. Notifying the surgeon ensures that the client receives the appropriate surgical care as soon as possible to avoid complications, such as infection or further injury to the tissues.

This action is crucial because the surgeon is best equipped to manage the situation, which may involve surgical repair and the implementation of measures to prevent additional complications. Time is of the essence in such cases, as delay in treatment can lead to serious outcomes for the patient.

While other interventions may follow, such as positioning the client appropriately or managing the wound, the priority is to secure the involvement of the surgeon to address the evisceration effectively.