A nurse is developing a discharge plan for a client who is postoperative and will require a wheelchair in the home. The nurse should place a referral to which of the following resources to assist the client with this need?

a. A client who has an asymmetrical thorax:

An asymmetrical thorax can indicate a potentially life-threatening condition such as a tension pneumothorax, hemothorax, or flail chest. These conditions can compromise respiratory function and require immediate intervention to ensure the client's airway and breathing are maintained.

b. A client who has an open fracture of the femur:

An open fracture of the femur is a serious injury that requires prompt attention to prevent complications such as infection and excessive blood loss. However, it is typically classified as urgent rather than emergent unless there are signs of significant hemorrhage or compromised perfusion that threaten life.

c. A client who has preorbital edema:

Preorbital edema, which is swelling around the eyes, can be concerning and requires evaluation but is not typically life-threatening. This condition is less likely to require immediate intervention compared to compromised airway or breathing issues.

d. A client who has a deep-partial thickness burn on the lower extremities:

Deep-partial thickness burns are serious and painful injuries that require medical attention. However, they are usually not immediately life-threatening unless they involve a large percentage of body surface area or are accompanied by other critical injuries or complications. They are often categorized as urgent rather than emergent.

a. “The client is in the radiology department for a chest x-ray.”

This information is relevant as it informs the oncoming nurse about the client's current location and the reason for the absence from the unit. It helps maintain awareness of the client's whereabouts and the ongoing diagnostic process.

b. “The client’s partner came to visit him 2 hrs. ago.”

While it's important to document visitor interactions in the client's chart, informing about a visit from 2 hours ago during a change-of-shift report may not be as pertinent to immediate patient care as other information. This detail can be communicated through other means, such as the client's chart or communication log.

c. “The client has routine vital signs prescribed.”is not as critical to include in the change-of-shift report because it is standard practice and does not provide specific, immediate information about the client’s current status or any changes that need to be monitored closely.

d. “The client is the president of a local bank.”

While interesting, this information is not relevant to the client's current medical condition or care plan. It does not contribute to the immediate care needs of the client and can be considered extraneous during a change-of-shift report.