The nurse is caring for a newly admitted client who is scheduled for d

The nurse is caring for a newly admitted client who is scheduled for diagnostic testing in the morning. Which of the following client needs should take priority?

1. Inventory of clothes and other personal belongings
2. Orientation to the nursing unit and individual room
3. Interview regarding medications currently being taken
4. Assessment of body systems for presurgery checklist

ANSWER

ANS: 2
The client’s admission has no acute physical needs and so the emotional need of familiarization with the environment has priority. Inventory of clothes and other personal belongings does not reflect a priority because it does not relate directly to a physical need, and there are other emo-tional needs of higher priority. Interview regarding medications currently being taken does not reflect a priority because it does not relate directly to a physical need, and there are emotional needs of higher priority. Although assessment of body systems for presurgery checklist reflects a needed nursing action, it is not a priority because it does not relate directly to physical need, and there are other emotional needs of higher priority.