Final answer:
For a patient with adrenal insufficiency, the nurse should prioritize monitoring for signs of dehydration due to the patient's inability to regulate sodium and water balance, which is more immediately life-threatening than other concerns.
Step-by-step explanation:
Prioritizing Care for a Client with Adrenal Insufficiency
When caring for a patient with adrenal insufficiency, also known as Addison's disease, it is crucial to address the risk of dehydration due to the body's inability to regulate sodium and water balance. The nurse should prioritize monitoring the client for signs of dehydration, which can be life-threatening in this condition. Signs can include extreme weakness, fatigue, lightheadedness, and low blood pressure. Due to the potential severe impacts of adrenal crisis, these signs should be monitored vigilantly.
Although promoting sleep, rest, providing high-calorie snacks, and promoting a healthy body image are also important, these are not as immediately life-threatening as dehydration and hypotension that can occur with adrenal insufficiency. Therefore, monitoring for signs of dehydration and maintaining fluid balance takes priority to prevent an adrenal crisis.
Patient B, who shows symptoms of weight loss, excessive sweating, and increased heart rate, could be at high risk for dehydration, and so the nurse should be particularly attentive to changes in this patient's hydration status.