The nurse is assessing a client who has just given birth and notes her prelabor vital signs reveal a temperature 98.8of (37.1oc), blood pressure 120/70 mm hg, hr 80, and rr 20. which current vital sign assessment should the nurse prioritize

The nurse should prioritise the vital sign Heart Rate which is the only one that's off limits for a postpartum assessment. Any temperature that's not higher than 100.4 ºF is accepted as normal. Also, a blood pressure that's no higher than 160mm/Hg or lower than 90mm/Hg for the systole, or higher than 90mm/Hg for the diastole is also considered normal. A respiratory rate no higher than 20 is also normal. When it comes to the pulse or heart rate, the normal expected values for a postpartum assessment are between 60 and 70bpm, fewer than usual - in the case presented the pulse is at 80bpm. A more rapid pulse may be a sign of haemorrhage.