A nurse is receiving change-of-shift report for a group of clients. Which of the following clients should the nurse plan to assess first?

New onset tachypnea in a client with a hip fracture is a red flag for pulmonary embolism — a life-threatening complication. Sudden unexplained tachypnea after orthopedic surgery requires immediate assessment. HbA1c of 7.2% is slightly elevated but not an acute concern. Sinus arrhythmia is a normal variant and not urgent. Weakness from epidural analgesia is expected and warrants assessment but is not immediately life-threatening compared to possible PE.