Priority questions help

Does anyone have any tips how to figure out the priority patient (who do you see first questions) ? I always thought ABC's, but that's not always the right way to go. I failed so many of them during practice quizzes and when I read the rationale it always makes sense, but I usually get them wrong. What is your approach when looking at those questions?

Did you try the LaCharity book?

Did you try the LaCharity book?

I was about to ask the same question lol

The Lacharity book is awesome!!! it would def. help you with answering those type of questions. I've used it myself and it helped me figure out which pt to see first...

good luck! ~Mary

Hehee i know priorities!!! sadly i didn't get much of those. Think of the following, ABCD, Maslow (safty need), Stability, Oh ya and always ask yourself what is this questions asking? is it a priority question or delegation, etc . Question says, ya walk into a shift there's 4 patients who do you see first?

TACTICS TO PRIORITIZE:

ABCD: Pt 1 gapsing for air, sternal retractions, pulse ox 85 etc, Pt 2 complains of pain, Pt 3 needs bedpan, PT4 is bleeding and his bedding is soaked, (TOPIC: priority>ABCD the PT 1 is respiratory so see him first ..ANS: T1 is more in danger of dying in next few mins while PT 4 is bleeding but is not as high of priority of cant breathe.

Maslow SAFTY need especially- always put the basics first, food, water, safty then higher level needs like love and pyschosocial. Sometimes questions give you a few pts all are about the same except one is going to hurt himself if you dont immediately do something. *thats's who you see*

STABILITY: several pts on floor all have needs, you see the pt who is most unstable first. such as post op, has conditions that will rapidly change. EX: pt 1 - 5 hrs postop for abodinal surgery, Pt 2 newly admitted with multiple injuiries from MVA, pt 3 alzhemiers with parkinson. ANSWER: see the newly admitted pt first because chances are he's teh most unstable and has probably a few more unknown problems from the accident that will come up. Everyone else you know whats wrong with em and why they're here and can predict what they'll need from you.

Physical vs. pyschosocial - always put physical first unless its a pysch type question. Assess or Implement -- we always assess first then depending on what problem is = we implement.

Okies i hope this is helpful. Good luck and keep us posted

Thanks! No, I don't have the LaCharity books, I heard a lot about them though. Might be worth investing in one!

Thanks Inori, your tips are really helpful!

I just ordered the LaCharity book from Amazon, should be here in 2 days! Thanks for the advice!