The client is just arriving in the postanesthesia care unit following general anesthesia. The nurse's top priority upon receiving the client is to:
1. Assess the client's respiratory status.
2. Assess the client's cardiac status.
3. Ask the client about pain.
4. Assess the client's IV.
Assess the client's respiratory status
Rationale: The client's respiratory status will be the nurse's top priority upon receiving a client into the postanesthesia care unit because anesthesia can impact the respiratory system. Airway, respirations, and lung sounds will comprise this assessment because respiratory complications are the most frequent cause of complications in the postanesthesia care unit. Cardiac status, level of consciousness, and vital signs will be the next priority, followed by pain and eventually the status of the client's IV.
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