Final answer:
In this scenario, the nurse's actions should be prioritized as follows: assess the patient's level of consciousness and responsiveness, check for a pulse and breathing, and activate the emergency response system.
Step-by-step explanation:
In this scenario, the nurse's actions should be prioritized as follows:
- Assess the patient's level of consciousness and responsiveness: The nurse should immediately approach the patient and determine if they are conscious and responsive. This will help determine the severity of the situation and guide further actions.
- Check for a pulse and breathing: If the patient is unresponsive, the nurse should check for a pulse and breathing. If absent, the nurse should initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) immediately.
- Activate the emergency response system: If the patient is unresponsive and not breathing, the nurse should activate the emergency response system, such as calling for help and initiating a code blue.