Questions: A nurse is halfway through administering a tap water enema to a 42-year-old patient in preparation for a surgical procedure. The patient complains of dizziness. What is the next action that the nurse should take? Raise the head of the bed (HOB). Stop the enema. Instruct the patient to take deep breaths. Complete the procedure.

The answer is the second one: Stop the enema.

Explanation for each option:

1. Raise the head of the bed (HOB): While raising the head of the bed might help with dizziness in some situations, it is not the immediate priority when a patient experiences dizziness during an enema. The dizziness could be a sign of a vagal response, which requires immediate cessation of the procedure.

2. Stop the enema: This is the correct action. Dizziness during an enema can indicate a vagal response, which can lead to bradycardia and hypotension. Stopping the enema is crucial to prevent further complications and to assess the patient's condition.

3. Instruct the patient to take deep breaths: While deep breathing can sometimes help with dizziness, it is not the first action to take in this scenario. The priority is to stop the procedure to prevent any adverse effects.

4. Complete the procedure: Continuing the procedure despite the patient's complaint of dizziness is not advisable. It could exacerbate the patient's condition and lead to further complications.

Summary: When a patient experiences dizziness during an enema, the immediate and appropriate action is to stop the enema to prevent any potential complications.