Which client should the practical nurse (PN) check first during evening shift rounds after surgery?

The client who had an emergency appendectomy for appendicitis should be checked first during evening shift rounds after surgery due to the potential for complications associated with the surgery and the patient's young age. Emergency surgeries, like appendectomies performed for acute conditions, can sometimes involve several risks, such as infection, bleeding, or abdominal complications.

Additionally, preschool-aged children are particularly vulnerable after surgical procedures as they may not communicate discomfort effectively, and their physiological responses can differ from those of adults and older children. Close monitoring of vital signs, pain levels, and any signs of complications is essential in this age group.

In contrast, the other clients may have had routine or less emergent surgeries, which typically come with a lower immediate risk for complications postoperatively. The adult following a routine cholecystectomy or a teenager after a laparoscopic hernia repair are likely to have a more straightforward recovery with fewer concerns. Likewise, the elderly patient who underwent a hip replacement, while they require thorough monitoring due to age-related factors, typically does not pose an immediate risk that surpasses that of a young child recovering from an emergency surgery. Therefore, the urgency to assess the preschooler is paramount.