Which of the following clients should be prioritized with the most urg

Which of the following clients should be prioritized with the most urgent need for a nursing as-sessment?

1. A new admission admitted for swelling in the right ankle and knee
2. A second day postoperative client who received pain medication 30 minutes ago
3. A client who the nursing assistant found crying in the bathroom
4. A client ready for discharge who requires a final assessment and documentation

ANSWER

ANS: 3
This client has an acute need that requires the nurse’s attention. The facility has a policy regard-ing the amount of time available in which to complete such an assessment and this client is in no acute distress, so the assessment does not have priority. While a pain assessment is required to evaluate the effectiveness of pain medication, it does not the have the priority of the other pre-sented options. This client has no acute problems and so the assessment does not have the priority of some of the other options.