The family of a neutropenic client reports the client "is not acting right." What action by the nurse is the priority?
a. Ask the client about pain.
b. Assess the client for infection.
c. Delegate taking a set of vital signs.
d. Look at today's laboratory results.
ANS: B
Neutropenic clients often do not have classic manifestations of infection, but infection is the most common cause of death in neutropenic clients. The nurse should assess for infection. The nurse should assess for pain but this is not the priority. The nurse should take the client's vital signs instead of delegating them since the client has had a change in status. Laboratory results may be inconclusive.
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