Question

A nurse is prioritizing care. Which client should the nurse attend to first?

a. A client with chronic pain requesting pain medication refill
b. A client recovering from surgery with controlled pain
c. A client on a new medication with confusion and slurred speech
d. A client with a history of migraines seeking preventive treatment

Answer 1

The nurse should attend to the client on a new medication with confusion and slurred speech first, as this could indicate a serious adverse reaction.

Step-by-step explanation:

A nurse is prioritizing care.

The client that the nurse should attend to first is the one with a new medication and experiencing confusion and slurred speech.

While all the clients have valid concerns, the client experiencing confusion and slurred speech may be having a serious adverse reaction to the new medication. This can indicate a potential life-threatening situation that requires immediate attention.

The other clients, such as the one with chronic pain seeking a medication refill or the one recovering from surgery with controlled pain, can be addressed in a timely manner as their needs are not as urgent as the client with the new medication and neurological symptoms.