A nurse on a medical unit has just received change-of-shift report. Which of the following clients should the nurse assess first?

A. A 68-year-old client who had a myocardial infarction 2 days ago and reports chest pain as a 4 on a scale of 0 to 10: While chest pain is concerning, a pain level of 4 is moderate, and the client is hemodynamically stable. This client requires timely assessment but does not present the most immediate threat to life. B. A 48-year-old client who has AIDS, pneumocystis pneumonia, and a temperature of 38.3°C (101°F): The client has an infection that requires monitoring and treatment, but the fever alone does not indicate an immediate life-threatening condition. Assessment and intervention are important but not emergent. C. A 60-year-old client who has COPD, is receiving O₂ 2 L/min via a nasal cannula, and has an oxygen saturation of 89%: Hypoxemia is an immediate threat to life. An oxygen saturation below 90% in a client with COPD requires prompt assessment and intervention to prevent respiratory failure, making this the highest priority. D. A 26-year-old female client who has pelvic inflammatory disease and is unable to void: Urinary retention is uncomfortable and can lead to complications, but it is not immediately life-threatening. This client can be assessed after addressing the client with hypoxemia.