After receiving a report, which client should the nurse assess first?

In this scenario, prioritizing assessment is crucial for ensuring patient safety and effective management. The client experiencing seizure activity who received lorazepam 20 minutes prior requires immediate attention. Postictal states can lead to various complications, including respiratory depression, altered mental status, or recurrent seizures. Assessing this client first allows the nurse to monitor vital signs, neurological status, and the effectiveness of the medication administered, ensuring that there are no further seizures or adverse reactions occurring.

In contrast, while other clients may have significant clinical conditions, they do not present the same immediate risk requiring urgent intervention. The client with anemia receiving packed red blood cells may need monitoring for transfusion reactions, but these generally develop over a longer duration. The client with a low hemoglobin who requires IV iron therapy can be assessed promptly but does not demand immediate intervention. Lastly, the client scheduled for a bone marrow biopsy is stable and can wait for assessment, as this procedure is not time-sensitive compared to the need for evaluating and managing the potential complications of seizures.