In prioritizing medication administration, which client should a nurse assess first?

In this scenario, the patient experiencing an asthma exacerbation should be assessed first due to the nature of their condition. Asthma exacerbations can lead to significant airway obstruction, respiratory distress, and a decrease in oxygen saturation. The urgency of managing respiratory status makes it a priority for nursing intervention.

Timely assessment and intervention for this patient are crucial because any delays can potentially lead to a severe respiratory crisis, which could be life-threatening. The nurse must ensure that the patient is receiving appropriate bronchodilator therapy, monitor vital signs, and evaluate the effectiveness of treatment to alleviate the acute exacerbation.

While assessing the other patients is important, their conditions present different levels of urgency. The patient with a fever might require acetaminophen for comfort, but this is not an immediate threat to life. The patient with diabetes who needs insulin also requires attention, especially to avoid hyperglycemia; however, this situation can often be managed more flexibly than an acute asthma attack. Lastly, the patient with chronic alcoholism needing lab checks might also require regular monitoring, but it may not demand immediate attention compared to an acute respiratory issue. Thus, the acute nature of the asthma exacerbation elevates its priority in assessment and care.