What action should a precepting nurse prioritize when a newly hired nurse performs tasks in client care?

In this scenario, the most critical action for the precepting nurse to prioritize is obtaining a capillary blood glucose for a client receiving insulin. This decision is informed by the immediate health implications associated with blood glucose levels in individuals on insulin therapy. If the blood glucose level is too low or too high, it can lead to severe consequences such as hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia, both of which require prompt intervention.

Monitoring blood glucose is essential for clients receiving insulin, as it allows for timely adjustments to their treatment and ensures that their blood sugar remains within a safe range. The precepting nurse must ensure that the newly hired nurse understands the importance of timely glucose checks, especially in patients at risk of fluctuations in their levels due to insulin. Thus, this task takes precedence over others, which may not carry the same immediate urgency in terms of client safety.

Other options may involve necessary actions but do not directly address potentially critical and emergent patient needs related to glucose control, making them less of a priority in this situation.