When planning care, which client should the nurse attend to first?

When prioritizing care, it is essential to assess the immediacy of a client's needs based on their condition and potential risks to their health. In this scenario, attending to a client with an elevated white blood cell count and fever is critical because these symptoms may indicate an underlying infection or other serious health issues that require prompt intervention.

Infection can escalate quickly, leading to complications such as sepsis if not addressed. Therefore, the nurse must prioritize this client to conduct further assessments, initiate treatments like antibiotics, and monitor vital signs closely to ensure the client's stability.

While other clients also require care, their conditions show less immediate risk. The postoperative client who has received opioids may need monitoring for side effects like respiratory depression, but this is often managed effectively with regular assessments. The client ready for crutch training and the stable client with a steady gait represent opportunities for rehabilitation and education, but these are not urgent compared to the potential severe implications of the infection indicated by elevated white blood cell count and fever.