Prioritization Quiz #4

The nurse employed in an emergency department is assigned to triage clients coming to the emergency department for treatment on the evening shift. The nurse should assign priority to which client? 

• A client complaining of muscle aches, a headache, and a history of seizures
• A client who twisted her ankle when rollerblading and is requesting medication for pain
• A client with a minor laceration on the index finger sustained while cutting an eggplant
• A client with chest pain who states that he just ate pizza that was made with a very spicy sauce

The nurse is assigned to care for four clients. In planning client rounds, which client should the nurse assess first? 

• A postoperative client preparing for discharge with a new medication
• A client requiring daily dressing changes of a recent surgical incision
• A client scheduled for a chest x-ray after insertion of a nasogastric tube
• A client with asthma who requested a breathing treatment during the previous shift

The nurse has received the assignment for the day shift. After making initial rounds and checking all of the assigned clients, which client should the nurse plan to care for first? 

•  A client who is ambulatory demonstrating steady gait
• A postoperative client who has just received an opioid pain medication
• A client scheduled for physical therapy for the first crutch-walking session
• A client with a white blood cell count of 14,000 mm­3 (14 X10^9/L) and a temperature of 38.4 C

The nurse is giving a bed bath to an assigned client when an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) enters the client’s room and tells the nurse that another assigned client is in pain and needs medication. Which is the most appropriate nursing action?

• Finish the bed bath and then administer the pain medication to the other client
• Ask the UAP to find out when the last pain medication was given to the client 
• Ask the UAP to tell the client in pain that medication will be administered as soon as the bed bath is completed
• Cover the client, raise the side rails, tell the client that you will return shortly, and administer the pain medication to the other client                                   

The nurse is assigned to care for four clients. In planning client rounds, which client should the nurse assess first? 

• A client scheduled for a chest x-ray 
• A client requiring daily dressing changes 
• A postoperative client preparing for discharge 
• A client receiving nasal oxygen who had difficulty breathing during the previous shift

A nurse has received the assignment for the day shift. After making initial rounds and checking all of the assigned clients, which client should the nurse plan to care for first? 

• A client who is ambulatory 
• A client scheduled for physical therapy at 1pm
• A client with a fever who is diaphoretic and restless
• A postoperative client who has just received pain medications

A community health nurse is caring for a group of homeless people. What is the most immediate concern when planning for the potential needs of this group? 

• Finding affordable housing for the group
• Setting up a 24-hour crisis center and hotline
• Providing peer support through structured support groups
• Ensuring that adequate food, shelter, and clothing are available

The clinic nurse wants to develop a teaching program for clients with diabetes mellitus. Which strategy should the nurse initiate first in order to meet the clients’ needs? 

• Assess the clients’ functional abilities
• Ensure the insurance will pay for participating in the program
• Discuss the focus of the program with the multidisciplinary team
• Include everyone who comes into the clinic in the teaching sessions

The nurse is caring for a client with preeclampsia. If the client’s condition progresses from preeclampsia to eclampsia, what should the nurse’s first action be? 

• Maintain an open airway 
• Administer oxygen by face mask
• Assess the maternal blood pressure and fetal heart tones
• Administer an intravenous infusion of magnesium

A registered nurse is a preceptor for a new nursing graduate and is observing the new graduate organize the client assignment and prioritize daily tasks. The registered nurse should intervene if the new nursing graduate performs which action? 

• Provide time for unexpected tasks
• Lists the supplies needed for a task
• Prioritizes client needs and daily tasks
• Plans to document task completion at the end of the day