Which client should the nurse consider to need the highest priority care?

The client with a CURB-65 score of 5 indicates a severe case of pneumonia, signifying a higher risk of mortality and the need for urgent medical intervention. The CURB-65 scoring system assesses the severity of pneumonia based on key clinical parameters: Confusion, Urea level, Respiratory rate, Blood pressure, and age. A score of 5 is the maximum, which typically suggests that the patient should be admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) for close monitoring and aggressive treatment.

In contrast, a respiratory rate of 20, while it may warrant attention, typically falls within the range of normal respiratory function (12-20 breaths per minute) and does not indicate an acute or critical condition. Stable hypertension means that the patient's blood pressure is under control and does not present an immediate threat, especially in the absence of accompanying complications. Normal blood sugar levels suggest that metabolic control is adequate and do not pose an urgent concern.

Thus, when prioritizing care, the patient with a CURB-65 score of 5 is clearly in the most critical situation, necessitating intense monitoring and intervention to prevent serious outcomes.