Which nursing diagnosis should be the first priority if a nurse is caring for a client after a thoracotomy for a lung mass?

Impaired physical mobility.

It should be the first priority of the nurse who is caring for a patient after a thoracotomy for a lung mass. Afterward, she can proceed with other diagnoses like anxiety or impaired physical mobility.

Basically, a thoracotomyis a surgical procedure which involves gaining the access into thepleuralspace of thechest.

Impaired gas exchange

Impaired gas exchangeshould be the nurses first priority. After ensuring that the client has adequate gas exchange, she can address the other diagnoses ofanxiety, impaired physical mobility,and deficient knowledge: home care.