Which client should the nurse prioritize for assessment after receiving report on the neurology floor?

Prioritizing client assessment in a healthcare setting involves evaluating which client may require immediate attention due to potentially acute changes in their condition. In this case, the individual with new-onset agitation and confusion is the most critical to assess right away.

Agitation and confusion can indicate a rapid change in cognitive status, which can stem from various causes, including delirium, infection, metabolic disturbances, or worsening of the underlying dementia. Such changes can lead to safety concerns, including a risk of falls or self-harm, and often require prompt evaluation and intervention to determine the cause and initiate treatment.

In contrast, while the other clients have significant medical conditions that require monitoring, they may not present with the same level of immediate risk as the client experiencing new-onset agitation and confusion. For example, the client with multiple sclerosis, the one with Guillain-Barré syndrome, and the client with Parkinson disease may have longstanding or chronic issues that require continuous management rather than immediate assessment due to acute changes. Therefore, it is essential to prioritize the client displaying sudden behavioral changes, as this could signal an urgent need for medical intervention.