An emergency department nurse triages a group of school children injured in a school bus crash. Which of the following children should the nurse have the provider evaluate first?

A. This is not an appropriate action for a client experiencing acute mania. A flexible activity schedule may exacerbate symptoms by allowing too much freedom, leading to overstimulation and a lack of focus. Structured activities with clear boundaries are more effective for managing manic behaviors.

B. Providing high-calorie nutritional supplements is essential for clients in acute mania because they often exhibit hyperactivity and may neglect to eat or drink adequately. These supplements help maintain nutritional balance and prevent weight loss or dehydration during this period of heightened energy and poor self-care.

C. Allowing the client to eat meals alone in her room is not appropriate. Clients with acute mania benefit from supervised, structured environments to ensure they are eating and engaging in necessary self-care. Isolation may also increase feelings of disorganization or exacerbate symptoms.

D. Allowing the client to choose her clothes independently is not recommended during acute mania, as poor judgment and impulsivity may lead to inappropriate or excessive clothing choices. Providing simple, preselected clothing options helps reduce decision-making stress and ensures appropriate attire.

A. A client who is 3 hr post Foley catheter removal and has not voided - While this may require assessment, it is not as urgent as assessing a client with potentially significant respiratory complications.

B. A client who is 3 days postoperative colectomy with a large, loose melena stool - While melena may indicate gastrointestinal bleeding, the client is not actively experiencing a respiratory issue.

C. A client who is 1 day postoperative total hip replacement with a pain level of 7 on a scale of 0 to 10 - Pain is important to address, but it is not as urgent as respiratory distress.

D. A client who is coughing up pink-tinged sputum following a bronchoscopy and lung biopsy 1 hr ago - Pink-tinged sputum may indicate bleeding from the respiratory tract, which could be a complication of the procedure and requires immediate assessment and intervention.