A nurse is assisting with triaging clients after a mass casualty event. Which of the following clients should the nurse attend to first?

Choice A reason: Actinic keratosis is a rough, scaly patch on the skin caused by long-term sun exposure. It is usually not purplish-brown and is more common in fair-skinned individuals. These lesions are considered pre-cancerous and can develop into squamous cell carcinoma if left untreated. The description of purplish-brown lesions in the context of an AIDS diagnosis is more indicative of Kaposi's sarcoma.

Choice B reason: Kaposi's sarcoma is a type of cancer that forms in the lining of blood and lymph vessels. It often presents as purplish-brown, red, or bluish lesions on the skin or mucous membranes and is commonly associated with AIDS. The multiple, widespread nature of the lesions described aligns with the typical presentation of Kaposi's sarcoma, making it the most likely diagnosis in this scenario.

Choice C reason: Actinic dermatitis, also known as photodermatitis, is an inflammatory reaction of the skin to sunlight. It does not typically present as purplish-brown lesions. This condition manifests as redness, swelling, and possibly blistering in sun-exposed areas. The description given is not consistent with actinic dermatitis and points more towards Kaposi's sarcoma in an AIDS client.

Choice D reason: Basal cell carcinoma does not usually present with multiple, widespread purplish-brown lesions. It is typically a localized lesion that appears as a pearly or waxy bump. The description of multiple, widespread lesions is more characteristic of Kaposi's sarcoma in clients with AIDS, making basal cell carcinoma an unlikely diagnosis in this context.

Choice A reason: Brudzinski's sign is an indicator of meningitis, where flexion of the neck causes involuntary flexion of the hips and knees. This sign is not related to hypocalcemia and is more specific to central nervous system infections.

Choice B reason: Chvostek's sign is a clinical sign of hypocalcemia. It is elicited by tapping on the facial nerve in front of the ear, which causes twitching of the facial muscles. This sign indicates neuromuscular irritability due to low calcium levels and is a key indicator for diagnosing hypocalcemia.

Choice C reason: Cullen's sign is a superficial edema and bruising in the subcutaneous fatty tissue around the umbilicus. It is associated with acute pancreatitis and intra-abdominal bleeding, not hypocalcemia. Therefore, it is not an appropriate sign to monitor for in clients with hypocalcemia.

Choice D reason: Kernig's sign is another indicator of meningitis. It involves pain and resistance to knee extension when the hip is flexed. Like Brudzinski's sign, it is specific to meningitis and is not related to hypocalcemia. Monitoring for this sign would not be relevant for a client with low calcium levels.