A nurse is prioritizing care for four clients. Using the ABC framework, which client should be assessed first?

Using the ABC framework (AIRWAY, BREATHING, CIRCULATION), the client with an OXYGEN SATURATION of 84% and LABORED BREATHING is the priority — this is a BREATHING/airway problem that is immediately life-threatening. NCLEX safe care/prioritization.

Prioritization frameworks: ABCs (airway and breathing problems come first, then circulation); MASLOW'S hierarchy (physiological needs before psychosocial); the nursing process (assess before acting); 'acute before chronic,' 'unstable before stable,' 'actual problems before potential.' A respiratory problem (low SpO2, labored breathing) outranks pain, toileting, and discharge questions. Applying ABCs and Maslow to identify the highest-priority client is a heavily tested NCLEX management-of-care skill.