Question

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

A. The client complaining of back pain.
B. The client with a scheduled dressing change.
C. The client newly admitted with shortness of breath.
D. The client requesting pain medication for a headache.

Answer 1

The nurse should attend to the client newly admitted with shortness of breath first. Back pain can wait to be addressed after the urgent concern. Scheduled dressing change and medication for a headache can be attended to after the more urgent cases.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should attend to the client who is newly admitted with shortness of breath first. Shortness of breath can indicate a serious medical condition that requires immediate attention. In this case, it is important for the nurse to assess the client's oxygen saturation levels, respiratory rate, and other vital signs to determine the severity of the condition.

The client complaining of back pain can be attended to next, as back pain may indicate a musculoskeletal issue that can be addressed after the urgent concern of shortness of breath is addressed.

The client with a scheduled dressing change and the client requesting pain medication for a headache can be attended to after the more urgent cases, as these issues are not immediately life-threatening.