Question

A nurse is caring for four clients at the beginning of a shift. After receiving change-of-shift report, which of the following clients should the nurse attend to first?

A) A client with diabetes who needs morning insulin
B) A client complaining of a headache rated as 8/10
C) A client with a new onset of chest pain
D) A client scheduled for a routine dressing change

Answer 1

The nurse should attend to the client with a new onset of chest pain first, followed by the client complaining of a severe headache. The clients with diabetes and the routine dressing change can be attended to after addressing the immediate concerns.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should attend to the client with a new onset of chest pain first. Chest pain can be a sign of a serious condition such as a heart attack or pulmonary embolism, which require immediate attention. The nurse should assess the client's vital signs, perform an ECG, and notify the healthcare provider.

Next, the nurse should attend to the client complaining of a headache rated as 8/10. This level of pain indicates a significant discomfort that may require intervention.

The nurse can attend to the client with diabetes who needs morning insulin and the client scheduled for a routine dressing change after addressing the immediate concerns of the clients with chest pain and a severe headache.