Which client should the nurse see first when following the airway, breathing, circulation approach to care?

In the context of the airway, breathing, circulation (ABCs) approach to prioritizing patient care, the most critical aspect is ensuring that the client's heart is functioning effectively, as this directly relates to circulation. When a client presents with tachycardia, it indicates that the heart is beating faster than normal, which can be a sign of several underlying issues, such as stress, pain, dehydration, or even more serious conditions like shock or arrhythmias.

Responding to the client with tachycardia first is essential because if the heart struggles to maintain adequate circulation, it can lead to insufficient oxygen delivery throughout the body. This can compromise the airway and breathing if not addressed promptly.

Other options, such as a client with a skin rash, a client requesting pain medication, or a client with a scheduled dressing change, do not indicate immediate life-threatening concerns and can generally wait for assessment and intervention once the more critical case has been handled. Therefore, prioritizing care based on the ABCs, where the presence of tachycardia signals potential urgent issues with circulation, makes this choice appropriate.