Final answer:
Telephone triage is defined as the process of assessing the urgency and severity of a patient's condition over the phone to determine the appropriate course of action. Effective communication skills are essential in telephone triage to ensure clear conversations and prioritize the patients' needs.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that defines the term 'telephone triage' clearly is option 2: The nurse must have a clear conversation on the telephone to prioritize the urgency of the patients needs. Telephone triage refers to the process of assessing the urgency and severity of a patient's condition over the phone to determine the appropriate course of action. It requires effective communication skills to gather relevant information, ask appropriate questions, and make informed decisions.