The charge nurse is planning for the shift and has a registered nurse (RN) and a practical nurse (PN) on the team. Which client should the charge nurse assign to the RN?

Choice A: An adult client with a tracheal tube draining clear, pale red liquid drainage. This client should not be assessed last, as they may have a potential airway obstruction or infection. The tracheal tube drainage should be monitored for color, amount, and consistency, and suctioned as needed.

Choice B: An older client with dark red drainage on a postoperative dressing, but no drainage in the Hemovac. This client should not be assessed last, as they may have a potential hemorrhage or wound dehiscence. The postoperative dressing and Hemovac should be monitored for color, amount, and odor, and changed as needed.

Choice C: An adult client with no postoperative drainage in the Jackson-Pratt drain with the bulb compressed. This client can be assessed last, as they have no signs of complications or problems. The Jackson-Pratt drain is a closed suction device that collects fluid from a surgical site. The bulb should be compressed to create negative pressure and facilitate drainage.

Choice D: An older client with a distended abdomen and no drainage from the nasogastric tube. This client should not be assessed last, as they may have a potential bowel obstruction or perforation. The nasogastric tube is inserted through the nose into the stomach to decompress gas and fluid. The abdomen should be monitored for size, shape, and bowel sounds, and the nasogastric tube should be checked for patency and placement.

Choice A: Observing insertion site is an essential assessment for a client who has a suprapubic catheter. The insertion site is located in the lower abdomen, where urine drains from an opening in the bladder through a catheter into a drainage bag. The nurse should inspect the site for signs of infection, inflammation, bleeding, or leakage. The nurse should also clean the site with soap and water and apply a sterile dressing as needed.

Choice B: Palpating flank area is not a relevant assessment for a client who has a suprapubic catheter. The flank area is located on the sides of the back, where the kidneys are located. Palpating the flank area can detect tenderness or pain that may indicate kidney infection or stones, but it does not provide information about the suprapubic catheter or its function.

Choice C: Measuring abdominal girth is not a relevant assessment for a client who has a suprapubic catheter. The abdominal girth is the circumference of the abdomen at the level of the umbilicus. Measuring abdominal girth can detect changes in fluid balance, ascites, or bowel obstruction, but it does not provide information about the suprapubic catheter or its function.

Choice D: Assessing perineal area is not a relevant assessment for a client who has a suprapubic catheter. The perineal area is located between the anus and the genitals. Assessing perineal area can detect signs of infection, irritation, or injury in the genital or anal regions, but it does not provide information about the suprapubic catheter or its function.