The nurse has received report on 4 clients. Which client should the nurse see first?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Acute pyelonephritis is a severe bacterial infection of the kidney that causes it to swell. It can lead to permanent scarring of the kidney and can be life-threatening. Initial treatment includes vigorous parenteral IV fluids and IV antibiotics. This client's needs are the priority as treatment is dependent on patent IV access. (Option B) A client scheduled for surgery who has questions about the procedure will need to speak to the health care provider (HCP). The nurse should arrange this as soon as possible as the surgery is scheduled in 2 hours. This client is the second priority. (Option C) A colostomy is a surgical opening (stoma) in the abdominal wall through which a section of large intestine is brought outside the body, either temporarily or permanently. A colostomy bag is placed over the stoma to collect stool. It is very important that the bag have a good fit and seal around the stoma to prevent skin breakdown due to leaking stool. The colostomy bag can leak if not emptied or cared for properly. This client needs assessment but is not a priority over the client with acute pyelonephritis. (Option D) The client who had a total hip replacement and reports no bowel movement for 2 days requires assessment. Postoperative pain medications often cause constipation, and client teaching about the importance of adequate fluid and fiber intake needs to be reinforced. The nurse should check the medical record for a prescription for a PRN stool softener, laxative, or enema; if it is not included, the nurse should contact the HCP for further instructions. Educational objective: Clients with acute pyelonephritis require aggressive IV fluids and IV antibiotics to stop progression of the infection and kidney scarring. A patent IV line is the priority.

The Nurse Has Received Report on 4 Clients