A 25-year-old patient calls the clinic complaining of diarrhea for 24 hours.Which of the following should be the nurse's first response?

Inform the patient that laboratory testing of blood and stools will be necessary.

Ask the patient to describe the character of the stools and any associated symptoms.

Advise the patient to use over-the-counter loperamide (Imodium) to slow gastrointestinal (GI) motility.

Suggest that the patient drink clear liquid fluids with electrolytes, such as Gatorade or Pedialyte.