Which client presenting with complications should be prioritized for nursing assessment?

Prioritizing nursing assessment for clients with complications is crucial for effective patient management, especially when conditions may lead to significant morbidity or mortality. In this scenario, the client who is post-myocardial infarction with ventricular bigeminy warrants immediate attention.

Ventricular bigeminy is a form of arrhythmia where every other ventricular contraction is a premature beat. This condition can indicate underlying myocardial irritability, which is particularly concerning in a client with a history of myocardial infarction. Such arrhythmias can compromise cardiac output, lead to further arrhythmias, and potentially result in hemodynamic instability, which requires swift assessment and possible intervention.

In comparison, the other clients present lower levels of immediate risk to their health. The client in atrial fibrillation due for warfarin needs monitoring and medication management but does not have the acute risk associated with arrhythmias. The post-operative client with a slight fever may need to be assessed for potential infection but is typically not as urgent as a patient exhibiting serious arrhythmias. Lastly, the client eager for fluids after NPO status is important to address but primarily reflects comfort and basic needs rather than addressing a critical or unstable clinical condition.

Prioritizing the assessment of the client with ventricular