A nurse in an antepartum unit is triaging clients. Which of the following clients should the nurse see first?

A. A client who is at 38 weeks of gestation and reports a cough and fever: While concerning for possible respiratory infection, this does not pose an immediate threat to maternal or fetal life and can generally be addressed after more acute cases are stabilized. B. A client who has missed a period and reports vaginal spotting: This may indicate an early pregnancy complication such as a threatened miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy, but it is less urgent than active bleeding in the second or third trimester. C. A client who is at 14 weeks of gestation and reports nausea and vomiting: Common in early pregnancy, nausea and vomiting are usually not emergent unless associated with dehydration or weight loss. This can typically be managed with supportive care. D. A client who is at 28 weeks of gestation and reports painless vaginal bleeding: Painless vaginal bleeding in the second or third trimester is highly suggestive of placenta previa, which poses an immediate risk for maternal hemorrhage and fetal compromise. This client must be assessed first.