Nokea
After receiving the hand-off report, which client should the oncology nurse see first?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: In oncology nursing, prioritizing care is critical due to the complexity of cancer patients' conditions. An older client on chemotherapy with mental status changes is the priority because this could signal sepsis or infection, especially since chemotherapy-induced neutropenia often masks typical signs like fever in the elderly. Mental confusion might be the only early clue, and delayed assessment could lead to rapid deterioration or death. A heart rate of 108 beats/min without fever suggests tachycardia, possibly from dehydration or anxiety, but it's less urgent without other red flags. A neutropenic client in isolation needs monitoring, but no acute change is noted. The client scheduled for radiation has a planned treatment, not an immediate crisis. Assessing the older client first allows the nurse to rule out or address a life-threatening issue, aligning with the principle of prioritizing unstable patients in acute care settings.