What is the priority action for a nurse upon noticing thick, bright red clots after a TURP procedure?

After a transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), it's common to monitor for complications, including bleeding. Thick, bright red clots can indicate active bleeding, which might be a sign of a complication such as a bleeding vessel that needs to be addressed promptly.

Increasing the rate of continuous bladder irrigation is a priority action because it helps to remove clots and maintain clear urine output, which is essential to prevent obstruction and allows healthcare providers to monitor ongoing bleeding accurately. Additionally, taking vital signs is crucial since changes in pain, heart rate, or blood pressure can provide important information about the patient's stability and help identify whether there’s significant bleeding or a need for further intervention.

While assessing pain levels, changing the catheter, and notifying the surgical team are important nursing actions, the immediate need in this situation is to address potential bleeding and ensure that the urinary tract is clear to prevent further complications.