Question

A nurse who is working in the emergency department triage area is presented with four clients at the same time. The client presented with which symptoms requires the most immediate intervention by the nurse?

Answer 1

The patient with a blood pressure of 70/45, confusion, and complaints of thirst, exhibiting symptoms of shock, requires the most immediate intervention by the nurse in the emergency department.

Step-by-step explanation:

A nurse working in the emergency department triage must prioritize patient care based on the severity of their conditions. In this scenario, the patient who requires the most immediate intervention is the one with a blood pressure of 70/45, confusion, and complaints of thirst. These symptoms suggest the patient may be in shock, potentially from severe dehydration or other critical conditions. Shock is a life-threatening medical emergency that compromises the circulation of blood and oxygen to the body's tissues and requires immediate treatment to prevent organ failure and death.

Other patients, such as those with high fever or following a motor vehicle accident, also necessitate urgent care, but the patient with signs of shock must be stabilized first. In the high-paced environment of emergency medicine, recognizing and acting upon such critical signs is paramount for patient survival.