Question

A nurse is working in an emergency department is triaging four clients. Which of the following clients should the nurse recommend for treatment first?

a) A client with a sprained ankle.
b) A client with chest pain and shortness of breath.
c) A client with a minor burn on the arm.
d) A client with a rash and itching.

Answer 1

The client with chest pain and shortness of breath should be treated first due to the potential seriousness of their condition.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse working in the emergency department should recommend the client with chest pain and shortness of breath for treatment first. This patient presents symptoms that could be indicative of a life-threatening condition such as a myocardial infarction (heart attack) or pulmonary embolism, both of which require immediate medical attention. In contrast, the clients with a sprained ankle, minor burn on the arm, and a rash with itching are likely to be experiencing less serious conditions that don't need immediate intervention.