Question

The nurse cares for clients in a gynecological clinic. Which client does the nurse see first?

1. A client reporting dry vaginal walls and painful intercourse.
2. A client reporting a generalized rash and tachycardia after a hysterosalpingogram.
3. A client who requires preparation for a cervical biopsy
.4. A client scheduled for a Pap smear.

Answer 1

The nurse should see the client with a generalized rash and tachycardia first since these symptoms may indicate an immediate and serious condition such as an allergic reaction. Other clients have important but less urgent concerns.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse in a gynecological clinic should prioritize seeing the client with the most urgent and potentially serious condition first. Among the clients listed, the one the nurse should see first is Client 2, who is reporting a generalized rash and tachycardia after a hysterosalpingogram. This may indicate an allergic reaction or other complications that require immediate attention.

As for the other clients, while their issues are important and also require care, they are less urgent compared to Client 2's immediate potential complications. Client 1 is experiencing dry vaginal walls and painful intercourse, which might indicate atrophic vaginitis or other conditions that cause vaginal dryness, but these are less likely to be life-threatening. Client 3 requires preparation for a cervical biopsy, and Client 4 is scheduled for a Pap smear; while they need timely care and support, they do not present with acute symptoms that suggest immediate risk.

It is vital for nurses to assess the urgency and potential risk to clients' health when determining the order in which to see clients, particularly in a specialized clinic setting where multiple health concerns may be presented simultaneously.