How to prioritize in Nursing

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I am a student nurse and should probably post this under "student" but I want advice from practicing nurses. I have trouble with prioritizing things with patients and on tests. Is there a specific method or saying that can help me figure out what is the MOST important thing to do? I hear a lot "remember your ABC's" but... I don't know what that means and when I ask they tell me to "use your brain" so can somebody please help me out. I'd rather not fail my classes or my exams next week.

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Airway

Breathing

Circulation

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Specializes in Med/Surg, ICU, educator.

A = airway. B = breathing, C = circulation. I'm sorry, but as a student you should know this. Maybe it's possible that you were trying to think beyond the obvious-we're all guilty of this. Always use this and Maslow's first. You will learn other techniques for prioritizing in school.

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"I have 6 patients" NCLEX questions. They force you to make a decision who you would see first... read rationale.

Always, ABC if it's that easy, that's what I have been taught. If I don't see patient A, (check on, give meds, treat) is it reasonable he could he get sicker because I decided to do other things first? If all patients not in the danger zone, who has to leave the floor for test or discharge or has PT/OT coming, do I need to get meds passed, tx done, arrangements made etc. prior?

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Eventually the light bulb will come on and you'll just "get it"

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Let's say you have 5 pts, and all of their ABCs are fine. However, you have one that has to go to the bathroom, one in pain, one getting ready to be discharged, one that has family that wants to talk to you, and another pt that is doing well, asleep in bed and waiting for their meds. How would you go about seeing these pts?

Some things would depend on report, and specifically what is going on. Me, I'd take the pt to the bathroom, while they are in there get pain meds for my other pt, get the first pt back to bed, check in on the pt that is doing well, let them know I'd be back with their meds shortly, go talk to family, and then do the discharge. But that's really basic, and one simple piece of information could turn around that whole scenerio.

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Specializes in ER, CCU, M/S, Oncology, Resp.

When I was a brand new nurse 100 years ago...for the first several weeks I routinely clocked out an hour late because I sucked at the prioritizing and ended up having to stay late to finish my work. It comes to you. After you get going, and start getting experience you just learn to prioritize. I promise you will be pro in no time. ;)

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Hello. I'm studying for my nclex right now and this really helps me.

AIRWAY

BREATHING

CIRCULATION

then, INFECTION-redness, swelling, edema, etc. s/s of infection, report to MD

Then, check for acute vs. chronic conditions. think of life and death situations.

1. any neurological complaints; ex. decreased loss of consciousness

2. any hyper--'s or hypo--'s ex. hyperkalemia/hypokalemia ---> lead to cardiac arrest

3. any abnormal ABGs. KNOW YOUR VALUES; alkalosis vs. acidosis.

4. extreme VITAL SIGNS. KNOW YOUR NORMAL VALUES.

5. CRISIS!!!

think unstable vs. stable pts/conditions also. ex. 2 HOUR post op vs. 2 DAY post op.

and very important, MASLOWS HIERARCHY OF NEEDS

1 physiological

2 safety

3 love and belonging

4 self esteem

5 self actualization

hope this helps you!

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