The client you are assigned to has four nursing diagnoses. Which of the following would you assign the highest priority?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Among four diagnoses, chest pain related to pneumonia takes highest priority because it addresses a physiologic need breathing and circulation per Maslow's hierarchy. Pain and potential respiratory compromise threaten survival, requiring immediate intervention like medication or oxygen. Self-care deficits, family process risks, and self-esteem issues, while important, are less urgent, impacting higher-level needs like independence or esteem. Prioritizing chest pain ensures the client's airway and oxygenation are stabilized, preventing deterioration, a fundamental principle in acute care nursing.
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