When admitting a visually impaired client, what is the priority action for the nurse?

Describing the environment to the client is the priority action when admitting a visually impaired individual because it helps the client understand their surroundings, which is crucial for their safety and comfort. Providing a verbal description of the environment allows the client to create a mental map of the space, which can help them navigate more independently. This action fosters a sense of control and confidence, making the client feel more secure in an unfamiliar setting.

While creating a clear path and assisting with bed location are also important actions for ensuring safety and comfort, they come secondary to the immediate need for the client to understand their environment. Moreover, asking about previous hospital experiences may be useful for obtaining valuable information, but it does not have the same immediacy in terms of addressing the client's current need to situate themselves in their new surroundings. Describing the environment fulfills an essential psychological and practical need for a visually impaired client.