When planning care, which client should be assessed first?

When planning care and determining which client should be assessed first, prioritization based on the severity of the clinical situation is essential. The client with a chest tube for a pneumothorax is the most critical due to the potential for life-threatening complications. Pneumothorax involves the accumulation of air in the pleural space, which can lead to respiratory distress and compromise oxygenation.

A chest tube is typically placed to re-establish negative pressure and reinflate the lung. If this patient experiences any issues with the chest tube, such as it becoming dislodged or blocked, there may be an immediate risk to their airway and breathing. Thus, assessing this client first allows for timely intervention if there are complications related to the pneumothorax or chest tube management, ensuring their respiratory status is stable.

The other clients present significant needs but do not have an immediate threat to life in the same way. The client who had a cholecystectomy is recovering but is less likely to experience acute deterioration compared to the client with a pneumothorax. The client on total parenteral nutrition, while needing careful monitoring, typically does not pose an immediate emergency that necessitates urgent assessment. Lastly, the client on isolation for MRSA requires