A client is in the emergency room in critical condition and hypotensive. Her spouse is distraught. What is the priority nursing action?

Choice A reason: This is not the priority assessment, but it is an important assessment for a client with a femur fracture. Pain is the unpleasant sensation that results from tissue damage or inflammation. Pain can affect the client's physical and psychological wellbeing and interfere with their recovery. The nurse should assess the client's pain level, location, quality, and duration using a valid and reliable pain scale. The nurse should also provide pain relief measures, such as medication, ice, elevation, or distraction, as ordered and as needed.

Choice B reason: This is not the priority assessment, but it is a relevant assessment for a client with a femur fracture. Medication history is the record of the drugs that the client is currently taking or has taken in the past, including prescription, overthecounter, herbal, or recreational drugs. Medication history can help the nurse identify any potential drug interactions, allergies, or contraindications that may affect the client's treatment and recovery. The nurse should ask the client about their medication history and document it accurately and completely.

Choice C reason: This is not the priority assessment, but it is a helpful assessment for a client with a femur fracture. Socioeconomic status is the measure of the client's income, education, occupation, and social class. Socioeconomic status can influence the client's access to health care, ability to afford treatment, compliance with therapy, and support system. The nurse should assess the client's socioeconomic status and provide appropriate referrals, resources, or assistance as needed.

Choice D reason: This is the priority assessment for a client with a femur fracture. Pedal pulses are the pulses that can be felt in the feet, such as the dorsalis pedis or the posterior tibial pulse. Pedal pulses can indicate the blood flow and perfusion to the lower extremities, which can be compromised by a femur fracture. A femur fracture can cause bleeding, swelling, or pressure that can reduce or obstruct the blood supply to the feet, leading to ischemia, necrosis, or gangrene. The nurse should assess the client's pedal pulses regularly and report any changes, such as absent, weak, or thready pulses. The nurse should also monitor the client's skin color, temperature, sensation, and movement in the feet.

Choice A reason: Polyuria is the production of abnormally large amounts of urine, which can be caused by various factors, such as diabetes, kidney disease, or diuretics. Polyuria is not an expected finding in a client with inflammation, which is the body's response to injury or infection. Inflammation does not affect the urinary system directly, unless the inflammation is located in the kidneys or bladder.

Choice B reason: Edema is the swelling of tissues due to excess fluid accumulation, which can be caused by various factors, such as heart failure, liver disease, or venous insufficiency. Edema is not an expected finding in a client with inflammation, which is the body's response to injury or infection. Inflammation does not cause fluid retention, but rather fluid leakage from the blood vessels into the interstitial spaces.

Choice C reason: Heat is an expected finding in a client with inflammation, which is the body's response to injury or infection. Heat is caused by the increased blood flow to the inflamed area, which brings more oxygen and nutrients to the damaged tissues. Heat also helps to kill or inhibit the growth of microorganisms that may cause infection.

Choice D reason: Erythema is an expected finding in a client with inflammation, which is the body's response to injury or infection. Erythema is the redness of the skin due to the dilation of the blood vessels in the inflamed area, which increases the blood flow and the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the damaged tissues. Erythema also helps to signal the presence of inflammation and attract immune cells to the site.

Choice E reason: Pain is an expected finding in a client with inflammation, which is the body's response to injury or infection. Pain is caused by the stimulation of the nerve endings by chemical mediators, such as histamine, prostaglandins, and bradykinin, that are released by the inflamed tissues. Pain also helps to alert the client of the injury or infection and to limit the movement or use of the affected area.