What is the priority assessment a nurse should make before resuming a client's diet following sedation from an endoscopy?

The priority assessment a nurse should make before resuming a client's diet following sedation from an endoscopy is to assess for the return of the client's gag reflex. This assessment is critical because sedation can temporarily impair the client's ability to protect their airway. If the gag reflex has not returned, there is a risk of aspiration when the client begins to consume food or liquids, which can lead to serious complications such as choking or pneumonia.

The gag reflex is an important protective mechanism that helps prevent foreign objects, including food and liquids, from entering the airway. Resuming a diet without ensuring that the client has regained this reflex would significantly increase the risk of airway obstruction and respiratory distress. Therefore, verifying the presence of the gag reflex is an essential step before any dietary intake is allowed.

Other assessments, while important in general nursing care, are not as immediately relevant in this context. Monitoring heart rate, evaluating bowel sounds, or checking blood pressure are critical in many scenarios but do not directly address the immediate concerns of airway protection related to resuming oral intake post-sedation.