Which client should the nurse administer medication to first when preparing 8 AM medications?

The priority in this scenario is to administer medication to the client with suspected sepsis receiving IV ceftazidime first. This is based on the urgency associated with sepsis, a serious and life-threatening condition that results from infections. In cases of sepsis, timely antibiotic administration is critical to combating the infection and reducing the risk of severe complications or death.

When a patient is suspected to have sepsis, it is vital that the treatment, particularly antibiotics, be initiated as soon as possible to manage the infection and prevent progression to septic shock. Delaying antibiotic therapy can lead to a rapid decline in the patient’s condition, which makes immediate intervention essential.

In contrast, while the other clients also require attention, their situations, although serious, do not necessitate the immediate urgency associated with potential sepsis. For example, a client two days post-abdominal surgery receiving enoxaparin requires routine anticoagulation, while the client with hypertension may need treatment for blood pressure control, and the client with diabetes will need urgent attention given the high blood sugar level, but none are at an immediate risk of deterioration as critical as that faced by the client with suspected sepsis.