prioritizing care

[charlies]

In my class, our test questions are similar to n-clex test questions. When deciding on a 'what should the nurse do' question, is there a general guideline for prioritizing care? For example, would an answer addressing client safety issues be more apt to be correct than one addressing client comfort. Do the ABC's fit in somewhere? TIA :stone

[EMTandNurse2B]

From my Physical Examination and Health Assessment book(By Carolyn Jarvis, 4th edition, published by Saunders)

First-level priority problems

ABCS

Airway

Breathing

Circulation

Signs for Vital Sign concerns

Second-level priority problems

MAA-U-AR

Mental Status change

Acute pain

Acute Urinary elimination problems

Untreated Medical problems requiring immediate attention (Diabetic who needs insulin)

Abnormal lab values

Risks of infection ,safety, or security

Third-level priority problems

Things lower in priority than above (lack of knowledge, coping, family coping, activity, rest)

Hope this helps!

[zambezi, BSN, RN]

Maslows heirarchy of needs is another good way to prioritize.

ABCs always first! (If you don't have A, B, or C a patients family/pain level/or any other problem won't really matter much)

[Jennette]

From my Physical Examination and Health Assessment book(By Carolyn Jarvis, 4th edition, published by Saunders)

First-level priority problems

ABCS

Airway

Breathing

Circulation

Signs for Vital Sign concerns

Second-level priority problems

MAA-U-AR

Mental Status change

Acute pain

Acute Urinary elimination problems

Untreated Medical problems requiring immediate attention (Diabetic who needs insulin)

Abnormal lab values

Risks of infection ,safety, or security

Third-level priority problems

Things lower in priority than above (lack of knowledge, coping, family coping, activity, rest)

Hope this helps!

In our program we use Maslow's heirarchy of needs to determine priority.

[Megs7617]

we also use Maslows Heirarchy of needs

[RNSuzq1, RN]

In my class, our test questions are similar to n-clex test questions. When deciding on a 'what should the nurse do' question, is there a general guideline for prioritizing care? For example, would an answer addressing client safety issues be more apt to be correct than one addressing client comfort. Do the ABC's fit in somewhere? TIA :stone

Hi Charlies,

I think all Nursing Schools use NCLEX type questions (it's to prepare you for the Boards). Prioritizing care will always start with the ABC's and follow from there. Your question about a patients safety over their comfort would all depend on the actual question and how it's worded. If their immediate safety was in jeopardy and they were also in pain - you'd have to first correct the safety issue, then manage their pain (but like I said, how the question is worded is the key to what answer you should choose).

We have a great set of NCLEX Review books - called - Prentice-Hall Nursing - Reviews and Rationales. They have tons of NCLEX questions in each book that are very helpful for studying and for tests. Hope this helps. Sue