Question

A community health nurse is working in a mobile healthcare clinic. Which of the following client should the nurse assess first?

A. A client who has a superficial partial-thickness burn to the hand
B. A client who has a temperature of 38.3 decrees celcius (101 decrees fahrenheit)
C. A client who has COPD and an oxygen saturation of 90%
D. A client who has a new onset of confusion and slurred speech

Answer 1

The community health nurse should assess the client with a new onset of confusion and slurred speech first, as these symptoms indicate a potential neurological emergency.

Step-by-step explanation:

The community health nurse should assess the client who has a new onset of confusion and slurred speech first. This client's symptoms indicate a potential neurological emergency, such as a stroke or a head injury. Time is of the essence in diagnosing and treating these conditions in order to minimize potential long-term effects.

A superficial partial-thickness burn to the hand is a relatively minor injury that can be treated after assessing the client with the neurological symptoms. A temperature of 38.3°C (101°F) is a low-grade fever that can be monitored but is not an immediate concern. A client with COPD and an oxygen saturation of 90% should be assessed and monitored, but their condition does not require immediate attention compared to the client with neurological symptoms.