When a float nurse is assigned to work on a telemetry unit, which patient is most appropriate for her care?

The most appropriate choice is the 78-year-old one day postoperative pacemaker placement patient. This patient requires a level of monitoring that is suitable for a telemetry unit, as they are recovering from a procedure that directly impacts their heart rhythm and cardiovascular stability. Postoperative patients often need careful observation to watch for complications such as arrhythmias or other heart-related issues, which telemetry monitoring is specifically designed to address.

Telemetry units are equipped to detect changes in heart rate and rhythm, making the postoperative patient an ideal candidate for this type of care, as they may have transient abnormalities that need immediate attention. This patient’s recent surgery means there is a higher risk of complications that require close monitoring.

In contrast, the other patient options either do not require the specialized care of a telemetry unit or are stable enough to not need constant cardiac monitoring. The stable lung cancer patient does not have a current crisis or a cardiac issue that necessitates telemetry. The newly admitted client with chest pain may need immediate assessment and intervention but lacks the stability required for telemetry. Finally, the client with diabetes may have ongoing health issues, but without any acute cardiac concerns, they are not the best fit for a telemetry setting.