If a practical nurse (PN) observes hematuria in a client's urinary catheter drainage tubing while they are receiving intravenous heparin, what is the first action the PN should take?

Noticing hematuria in a client's urinary catheter drainage while the patient is receiving intravenous heparin raises immediate concerns about potential bleeding complications associated with anticoagulation therapy. The first action should focus on assessing the patient for any signs of bleeding in other areas.

By checking the client's gums for bleeding, the practical nurse can gather more information about the bleeding risk and the extent of bleeding. This step is crucial because it allows the nurse to determine if the hematuria is part of a wider bleeding problem, which is a serious potential side effect of heparin therapy. Assessing for bleeding elsewhere is a vital part of evaluating the overall condition of the patient, ensuring that appropriate measures can be taken based on the severity of the situation.

In contrast, notifying the healthcare provider might be necessary but usually comes after an initial assessment is made to provide pertinent information. Increasing fluid intake alone does not address the immediate need to assess the bleeding risk. Documenting the finding and monitoring the situation is important, but it should occur after taking an assessment step, not as the primary response. Therefore, assessing for further signs of bleeding, such as examining the gums, is the critical first step to ensure patient safety.