Question

The triage nurse in an urgent care center prioritizes clients. Which client does the nurse see first?

1. An infant who is very sleepy and has refused to nurse for 8 hours. 2. A toddler who fell against the fireplace and continuously touches the right elbow.
3. A preschool child who is flushed and has a temperature of 101.9°F (39°C).
4. A school-age child who reports a sore throat and has had two episodes of vomiting today.

Answer 1

The triage nurse in an urgent care center prioritizes clients based on the severity of their condition. The first client the nurse should see is the infant who is very sleepy and has refused to nurse for 8 hours. The nurse would assess and prioritize clients based on additional factors such as vital signs, medical history, and visible signs of distress or injury.

Step-by-step explanation:

The triage nurse in an urgent care center prioritizes clients based on the severity of their condition. In this scenario, the nurse would see the client with the highest priority first. To determine which client needs to be seen first, we need to assess the urgency and potential risk involved in each case.

1. The infant who is very sleepy and has refused to nurse for 8 hours might be exhibiting signs of serious illness or dehydration. This could be a high-priority case due to the age and potential risks involved.
2. The toddler who fell against the fireplace and continuously touches the right elbow may have a possible fracture or injury. Depending on the severity and visible signs, this could be a high or medium priority case.
3. The preschool child who is flushed and has a temperature of 101.9°F (39°C) might have a fever. Fever in children can be a cause for concern, but without further details, it is difficult to determine the urgency.
4. The school-age child who reports a sore throat and has had two episodes of vomiting today might indicate a possible infection or illness. Depending on the severity of the symptoms, this could be a medium or low priority case.

Based on the given information, the nurse should prioritize the infant who is very sleepy and has refused to nurse for 8 hours as the first client to see. It is important to note that the triage nurse would assess and prioritize clients based on a more comprehensive evaluation, considering additional factors such as vital signs, medical history, and visible signs of distress or injury.