Question

A nurse is prioritizing care for four patients. Which patient should the nurse see first?

a. A patient needing teaching about medications
b. A patient with a healed abdominal incision
c. A patient with a slight temperature
d. A patient with difficulty breathing

Answer 1

The nurse should prioritize the patient with difficulty breathing, as this situation poses an immediate threat to the patient's health and requires urgent attention. The severity and potential for rapid health deterioration in respiratory issues make it the most critical condition among the given options.

Step-by-step explanation:

When prioritizing care for patients, a nurse must assess and determine which patient requires the most immediate attention based on the severity and urgency of their condition. In the scenario presented, the patient with difficulty breathing should be seen first. Difficulty breathing could indicate a life-threatening situation such as a potential asthma attack, an allergic reaction, or another form of respiratory distress, and therefore requires immediate assessment and intervention.

A patient with a slight temperature may need attention but is less urgent unless the fever is high or accompanied by other serious symptoms. The patient needing teaching about medications is a non-emergency but important for long-term care and medication adherence. Lastly, the patient with a healed abdominal incision is likely the least urgent, unless there are signs of complication such as infection or dehiscence.