Question

The nursing diagnoses that has the highest priority is:

a. Mobility, impaired physical, related to muscular weakness as evidenced by the inability to walk without assistance
b. communication, impaired verbal, related to neuromuscular weakness as evidenced by facial weakness and inability to speak
c. Imbalanced nutrition: less than body requirements, related to difficulty swallowing and inadequate food intake as evidenced by weight loss of 10 pounds
d. Airway clearance, ineffective, related to neuromuscular disorder as evidenced by choking and coughing while eating.

Answer 1

The nursing diagnosis with the highest priority is ineffective airway clearance, as it could lead to a life-threatening situation and must be addressed immediately for patient safety.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nursing diagnosis that has the highest priority is d. Airway clearance, ineffective, related to neuromuscular disorder as evidenced by choking and coughing while eating. This diagnosis takes precedence because it pertains to a potential compromise in the patient's airway, which can be life-threatening and therefore must be addressed immediately to ensure the patient's safety. Neuromuscular disorders, such as Parkinson's disease or myasthenia gravis, can have symptoms including muscle weakness, coordination problems, and difficulty swallowing, all of which could contribute to ineffective airway clearance. Treatment is often available to lessen these symptoms and slow progression of the disease.