Which patient should a nurse follow up on first among those with chronic conditions?

A patient with atrial fibrillation and a heart rate of 112/minute should be prioritized for follow-up due to the potential risks associated with rapid heart rates in the context of atrial fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation can lead to ineffective blood pumping, increasing the risk of thrombus formation and potential stroke. A heart rate of 112 beats per minute in this context indicates tachycardia, which could compromise cardiac output and may lead to symptoms such as chest pain, hypotension, or fainting.

In contrast, the other patients, while they have chronic conditions and may require attention, are not in as immediate risk as the patient with atrial fibrillation. The patient with glomerulonephritis has a blood pressure reading that is within a relatively controlled range and not immediately alarming. The patient receiving amphotericin B with a temperature of 100.4°F does require monitoring for potential infection, but this might be an expected response to treatment rather than an acute crisis. The patient with COPD and oxygen saturation of 91% is certainly concerning but often tolerable in someone with a chronic condition, as many COPD patients live in this range with supplemental oxygen.

Thus, prioritizing the patient with atrial fibrillation and a tach