Before giving a client who just underwent an EGD something to drink, what should the nurse check?

After a client has undergone an esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), it is essential to check for the presence of a gag reflex before allowing them to drink anything. The gag reflex is a critical indicator of the client's ability to safely swallow, as sedation used during the EGD can temporarily impair this reflex.

If the gag reflex is diminished or absent, the client is at increased risk for aspiration, which can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia or airway obstruction. Ensuring that the gag reflex is intact confirms that the client can protect their airway and swallow safely. Once this reflex has been assessed and found to be functioning appropriately, the nurse can then proceed to offer fluids.

Vital signs and bowel sounds are important assessments in a postoperative context, but they do not directly relate to the immediate safety of oral intake following an EGD. Asking the client to gargle with a saline solution is not a standard practice for ensuring readiness for fluids post-EGD and does not assess swallowing ability. Thus, checking for the gag reflex is the most appropriate and essential step in this scenario.