A Nonambulatory 80-Year-Old Male Patient Tells the Female Nurse That

A nonambulatory 80-year-old male patient tells the female nurse that he feels like he is having drainage from his rectum. Which initial nursing action is appropriate?

A) Drape the patient and observe the rectal area.
B) Tell the patient that his physician will be notified of his problem.
C) Tell the patient that you will ask the male nurse on the next shift to check on the problem.
D) Give the patient an ice pack to apply to the area.
E) Give the patient a specimen cup to collect the drainage.