A nurse on a labor and delivery unit is assessing four newly admitted clients. Which of the following clients should the nurse see first?

A. Inform the client of available community resources is an important action because the client will likely need additional support, such as hospice care, counseling, or child care services. However, before providing resources, the nurse must assess the client’s understanding of their diagnosis to ensure any interventions are tailored to their current needs and readiness.

B. Assist the client in finding child care options - While important, addressing community resources takes precedence as it may encompass finding child care options as well.

C. Agree upon short-term goals for the client - Establishing goals is important but may come after addressing immediate needs.

D. Ask the client about their understanding of the diagnosis is the priority action. Before any other interventions, the nurse must assess the client’s knowledge and perception of their condition. This foundational step allows the nurse to provide appropriate education, clarify any misconceptions, and ensure that all care planning aligns with the client’s needs, values, and readiness to engage in discussions about their care.

A. While explaining the consequences of refusal is important, it may not address the underlying reason for the refusal and should come after identifying the reason.

B. Identifying the reason for the client's refusal is the first step in addressing the issue and may help determine the appropriate intervention.

C. Documenting the client's refusal is important but should not be the first action taken without understanding the reason for the refusal.

D. Informing the provider of the client's refusal may be necessary, but it should come after identifying the reason for the refusal and attempting to address it.