Interview question

[sugar12]

I was asked a scenario question: two patients who need my attention and no one is there to help: one is bleeding and the other one is in pain. How would you have answered this question?

[CTnewgrad826]

always remember your ABC's. unless it is chest pain or something more vital, pain is considered a psychosocial problem and you want to cover physical problems first. bleeding fits under circulation so deal with that first. control the bleeding, call for help and don't leave that pt until stable. then go deal with the pain..pain meds as ordered.

[MrChicagoRN, RN]

You stated a simple scenario, but didn't actually state the question. I assume it's "what would you do first?"

Bleeding may be minor to life-threatening, pain maybe mild discomfort to "oh god, just kill me."

My question to you is, how did you answer their question?

[sugar12]

Yes it was a priority question. I did remember the abcs and I choose that I would assess the bleeding pt but I didn't answer it with rationales and a well developed answer due to bring so nervous.