The practical nurse (PN) is assigned to care for four children. Which child should be assessed first?

A. 4-year-old who needs to stand to void before going to x-ray: This child requires assistance with a non-urgent procedure. While important for completing diagnostics, it is not an immediate threat to the child’s health or airway. B. 3-year-old who is in isolation with chickenpox lesions and MRSA: Isolation precautions are important to prevent infection spread, but the child’s current condition is stable and does not indicate acute respiratory distress. C. 18-month-old who has cystic fibrosis and is wheezing: Wheezing in a child with cystic fibrosis indicates potential airway obstruction or respiratory compromise, which can rapidly become life-threatening. This child requires immediate assessment and intervention to ensure airway patency and oxygenation. D. 2-year-old who is admitted for gastroenteritis and vomiting: Gastroenteritis and vomiting require monitoring for dehydration, but unless there are signs of severe fluid loss or electrolyte imbalance, it is less urgent than a child experiencing respiratory distress.