A charge nurse is completing client care assignments. Which of the following assignments is appropriate for a licensed practical nurse?

Choice A reason: This is the correct choice because this client has the most urgent and potentially life-threatening problem. Urinary retention after spinal surgery can lead to bladder distension, infection, renal damage, or autonomic dysreflexia (a dangerous rise in blood pressure and heart rate). The nurse should assess the client's bladder, catheterize the client if indicated, and notify the surgeon.

Choice B reason: This is not the correct choice because this client has a serious but not urgent problem. Pancreatic cancer is a malignant tumor that can affect the function of the pancreas and other organs. IV chemotherapy is a treatment that uses drugs to kill cancer cells. The nurse should provide emotional support, education, and symptom management to this client, but they are not the highest priority.

Choice C reason: This is not the correct choice because this client has a chronic but not acute problem. Peripheral vascular disease is a condition that affects the blood vessels outside the heart and brain, causing reduced blood flow to the limbs. An absent pedal pulse indicates poor circulation in the foot, which can lead to pain, numbness, or tissue damage. The nurse should monitor the client's pulses, skin temperature, and color, and teach the client how to prevent complications, but they are not the highest priority.

Choice D reason: This is not the correct choice because this client has a stable but not critical problem. MRSA is a type of bacteria that is resistant to many antibiotics and can cause skin or systemic infections. An axillary temperature of 38°C (101°F) indicates a mild fever, which is a common sign of infection. The nurse should administer antibiotics as prescribed, observe the client for signs of sepsis, and follow infection control precautions, but they are not the highest priority.

Choice A reason: This is the correct choice because this client has the least urgent and most stable condition. A deep-vein thrombosis is a blood clot that forms in a vein, usually in the leg. An INR of 2.0 indicates that the client's blood is within the therapeutic range for anticoagulation therapy, which prevents the clot from growing or breaking off. The nurse should ensure that the client has a prescription for oral anticoagulants, compression stockings, and follow-up appointments before discharging them.

Choice B reason: This is not the correct choice because this client has a serious and potentially life-threatening condition. Tumor lysis syndrome is a complication of chemotherapy that occurs when cancer cells break down rapidly and release their contents into the bloodstream. This can cause electrolyte imbalances, kidney damage, and cardiac arrhythmias. The nurse should monitor the client's vital signs, laboratory values, urine output, and fluid balance, and administer medications and interventions as prescribed.

Choice C reason: This is not the correct choice because this client has a new and acute condition. A new onset of left-sided weakness could indicate a stroke, which is a medical emergency that requires immediate diagnosis and treatment. The nurse should perform a neurological assessment, check the client's blood pressure and blood glucose levels, and activate the stroke protocol.

Choice D reason: This is not the correct choice because this client has a severe and unstable condition. Angina is chest pain that occurs when the heart muscle does not get enough oxygen-rich blood. A troponin level of 3 ng/mL indicates that the client has a high level of cardiac enzymes in the blood, which suggests a heart attack or myocardial infarction. The nurse should administer oxygen, nitroglycerin, aspirin, and morphine as prescribed, and prepare the client for further diagnostic tests and interventions.