Final answer:
The client who should be identified as the priority in the ED following an explosion is the unconscious client with difficulty breathing, as it is the most life-threatening condition among the choices provided.
Step-by-step explanation:
The priority for nursing care in the emergency department (ED) following an explosion would be the client who is most unstable and has the potential for the most rapid decline. There are various injuries listed, but a nurse should prioritize clients based on the ABCs (airway, breathing, circulation) of emergency medicine. The options provided describe clients with a range of injuries including a broken arm, minor cuts and scrapes, difficulty breathing, and a minor burn.
An unconscious client with difficulty breathing should be identified as the immediate priority, as they're showing signs of a potentially compromised airway and oxygenation, which can lead to rapid deterioration and are life-threatening conditions. The other clients have conditions that, while potentially painful or distressing, are not as immediately life-threatening as that of the unconscious client.