Prioritization Questions
Turn in 1 per person
1. Which client would you see first:
1-Surgery 2 hours ago-T 37.5C (99.5F), pulse 88, RR 18, BP 138/84
2-Cholecystectomy (gallbladder removed) 4 hours ago, reporting pain level 8 out of 10. VSS.
3-Long leg cast applied 4 hours ago, reporting numbness of toes
4-Reported nausea all day, not drinking or eating
Explain your rational:
2. A nurse is caring for a client who has a compound fracture of the tibia and fibula and is in skin traction. The client reports pain of 6 out of 10 under the traction bandage. Which the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Administer pain medication
B. Assist the client to shift positions
C. Check pedal pulse
D. Distract the client with music therapy
Explain your rational:
3. The nurse is assigned to care for four clients. In planning client rounds, which client should the nurse assess first?
A. A postoperative client preparing for discharge with a new medication
B. A client requiring daily dressing changes of a recent surgical incision
C. A client scheduled for a chest x-ray after insertion of a nasogastric tube
D. A client with asthma who requested a breathing treatment during the previous shift
Explain your rational:
4. 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. A client who is ambulatory demonstrating a steady gait
B. A postoperative client who has just received an opioid pain medication
C. A client scheduled for physical therapy for the first crutch-walking session
D. A client with a white blood cell count of 14,000 mm3 (expected 4,000-10,000) and a temperature of 38.4C (101.2F) (expected 36-38C or 98.6-100.4F)
Explain your rational:
5. Put the following patient situations in order according to the level of priority.
a. A patient newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus does not know how to check his own blood glucose levels with a glucometer.
b. A teenager who was stung by a bee during a soccer match is having trouble breathing.
c. An older adult with a urinary tract infection is also showing signs of confusion and agitation.
Explain your rational:
6. A nurse is caring for a client who requires a chest x-ray. Prior to the client being transported for the procedure, which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Explain the x-ray procedure to the client
B. Help the client into a wheelchair before the transporter arrives
C. Ask if the client has any questions
D. Identify the client using two identifiers
Explain your rational:
