Question

The nurse provides care for a group of clients in the hospital. Which client does the nurse see first?

1. A client who reports pain 2 hours after a liver biopsy.
2. A client with a long leg cast who reports pain after taking medication.
3. A client 2 days postpartum who reports pain during breast-feeding.
4. A young child who reports a sore throat after a tonsillectomy.

Answer 1

The young child who reports a sore throat after a tonsillectomy should be seen first by the nurse due to the risk of bleeding, a serious and potentially immediate complication. Next would be the client who had a liver biopsy, as this situation could also involve serious complications.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should prioritize clients based on the level of urgency and the potential for serious complications. When determining which client the nurse should see first, one must consider the acuity of each situation.

1. A client who reports pain 2 hours after a liver biopsy could be experiencing complications such as bleeding or a bile leak, which are serious concerns.
2. A client with a long leg cast who reports pain after taking medication may need their pain management reassessed, but this situation might not be as immediately dangerous.
3. A client 2 days postpartum who reports pain during breast-feeding is likely experiencing common discomfort associated with nursing, which, while it warrants attention, may not be urgent.
4. A young child who reports a sore throat after a tonsillectomy might be at risk for bleeding, a complication that requires prompt evaluation.

Given these considerations, the nurse should see the young child who had a tonsillectomy first as this has the potential for immediate and serious complications. The client post liver biopsy would generally be the next priority due to similar reasons of potential complications.