Question

The nurse is working with a client who is being prepared for a diagnostic test this afternoon. The client tells the nurse that she wants to have her hair shampooed. Which of the following is the most appropriate label with regard to prioritizing her request?

1. Low priority
2. An unmet need
3. Intermediate priority
4. A safety and security need

Answer 1

The client's request for hair shampooing is considered a low priority in the context of healthcare prioritization, where immediate health and safety needs must come first, especially if a diagnostic test is impending.

Step-by-step explanation:

The request to have her hair shampooed by a client who is preparing for a diagnostic test would likely be classified as a low priority. In the healthcare setting, priorities are generally based on immediate health and safety needs. In this context, personal hygiene requests such as hair shampooing may be important for the client's comfort and psychological well-being but do not take precedence over medical preparations and the imminent diagnostic procedure. Therefore, while it is an unmet personal care need, it is not as urgent as the upcoming test or other critical needs.