Crash Course In Prioritization Questions...

[david.cummiskey]

Okay, everybody knows Airway, Breathing, Circulation ("ABC's") right? But what about when they ask you what to do first, or what is the most important for the nurse to address, and there are no Respiratory/Perfusion issues? What about when you approach a priority question thinking, "oh, look for the airway issue and Ahhhhhh! All I see are infections, pain, and psych patient issues!" What then?

[SusanneCollins13]

Also, I want to add, you did not pose a question, they define in the question what it is they want of you. You see, tricky tricky lol. However, Kaplan said spicifically that Nclex...pain is psychological not physioglogical

[Flames9_RN, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

Accordingz to Kaplan pain is Physical ONLY with MI, burns and Renal colic

[SusanneCollins13]

Thanks, I have not read that part, but it makes sense thinking of some questions that I had before!

[nursejoy23]

Dont forget acute before chronic. Acute problems are always considered priority over chronic issues.

[ErnestineB2009]

My Kaplan instructor told us to use this model:

Acute* vs. Chronic

Expected vs. Unexpected*

Stable vs. Unstable*

*= priority

For example, you will see a patient who complain of sudden vomitting and nausea vs. a patient who is in renal failure with edema in the extremities.

[Freedom42]

Just picked up my copy of Linda LaCharity's book Prioritization, Delegation and Assignment from Barnes & Noble. Thanks again! :wink2:

That's great. Good luck! I found it very helpful.

[david.cummiskey]

I want to add something that I did not know and just learned today: Pain, is not considered a physical...rather an psychological event. So if you have something physical as an answer you pick that before you do pain.

Would you by any chance be taking the Kaplan course :wink2: Thanks for the reminder They did mention that.

[SusanneCollins13]

Yes I just learned that a few days ago from Kaplan. I think that was some very important information because in our nursing school they stressedpain like insane and then when I answered questions and choose pain I did not understand why now suddenly it was not such a big deal. So priceless information in my eyes!!

[hnhoang]

Can you explain to me the stable/unstable concept please?????

Thanks!

[hnhoang]

Can you also explain to me the concept of expected/unexpected??