How would you prioritize?

nursefrances, BSN, RN · Oct 1, 2013

I would:

1. administer O2 first (ABCs), normally you will use a nasal cannula so the patient's mouth is not covered.

2. oral meds (patient is sitting up for this-not sure if this is correct but it just makes sense to me)

3. injection

4. Foley (done with sterile gloves)

5. dressing change (considering this a dressing change, this is the "dirtiest" and I would do last)

chrisrn24 · Oct 1, 2013

I guess to me it would depend on the person.

I would probably put the o2 on if needed first. The next steps depend on the person. If they are in pain, I would give their meds. If they are in with urogenital issues and haven't voided in a while and uncomfortable I would place the Foley first. If they are agitated and their injection is IM Ativan well that is first. If their dressing is soiled with BM or pus, for example, I may do that first.

See? It depends on your patient.

swansonplace · Oct 1, 2013

Depends on scenario and which medications: In general this is how to order:

1. Airway, breathing, circulation first

2. Physical needs

3. Safety

4. Psychosocial last

Dranger · Oct 2, 2013

So for clinical competency we are required to do a whole bunch of procedures. They include:
Injections
Oxygen
Wet to dry dressing
Inserting foley catheter
Administering meds (pain meds, for example)
What is the correct prioritization for these procedures?
I would prioritize them like this...
1. Administer meds (oral)
2. Administer Oxygen (I am unsure whether this one should be first, but it would make sense to administer oral meds before I cover their mouth)
3. Injection
4. Dressing
5. Foley Catheter (this is the last one since it is most invasive)
What do you guys think? Appreciate your input!

On the O2 it depends, if it's just 2L and used to boosts stats up a bit in the ER or floor I wouldn't consider it a number one priority. Sometimes its ordered as a standard with certain types of patients. As mentioned before you wouldn't need a rebreather mask as a standard use nasal cannula.

Have to use some common sense with this prioritization and what the specific situations are.

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Oct 2, 2013

If this is a question for school, part of the reason your faculty asks it is not to see if you have memorized a set of steps. It's to see how you defend your choices, demonstrating critical thinking in so doing. So don't guess, think. Make a decision based on what you know; if you don't know, find out before you make the decision. That's another thing they want you to learn to do. Exercises like this one get you started on that, too.