Problems with Prioritization Concept

[miraj]

I'm currently attending a review class, it seems easy when I listen to the instructors how to prioritize. But when it comes to practice questions, I get lost in the concept. I'm using LaCharity book for practice questions. Is there anyway to grasp the concept much clearly? And solid understanding what to actually look for? Thanks for sharing your knowledge!

[AllInRN, ASN, BSN]

Expected verses unexpected

stable verses unstable

safe verses unsafe

chronic verses acute

potential verses actual problem

think about it like this - this helped me

[rob4546, ADN, BSN, MSN]

Expected verses unexpected

stable verses unstable

safe verses unsafe

chronic verses acute

potential verses actual problem

think about it like this - this helped me

This is a really good concept. Sometimes you may find that many of the patients are unstable etc and you have to prioritize them. This is where you determine level of problem or risk, use your ABC's. If someone is bleeding and another has a crush injury to the throat then you would want to help the latter first.

If I remember from the NCLEX (couple months ago), the questions were fairly clear cut. They weren't tricky at all.

[miraj]

wow.. that's a very clear concept BrittyRN.. i liked it the way you put it. I'm still working on this but in much clearer side now.

rob4546 yes I believe it too that there's no trick in NCLEX. It's either you know it or just guessing.

I may be far but slowly getting there. ^_^

[miss salubrius]

I always try to imagine worst case scenario for each patient.. For example, write out or think in your head what could happen to each patient if you didn't tend to them first... How would they proceed? Are they actively bleeding? Is there.Sudden change? And especially if they have been recently out of surgery.. That's a key word there.. If it says two hours post op you def want to think about looking at that patient. also if a person is terminal or hospice or considered "brain dead" they are usually crossed off. Pregnant mother and babies also are at the top of the list depending on the issue

[Mwillis3]

I saw on a post to look at it like which patient will die first if the nurse does not intervene.....Does anyone think that this concept will work?

[miraj]

that's what my instructor keeps on telling. Who goes to morgue first and the fastest is the priority..but without the concept...they pretty much looks like either going all to morgue or they can all wait.

[miss salubrius]

I saw on a post to look at it like which patient will die first if the nurse does not intervene.....Does anyone think that this concept will work?

Like I said before, if death is "inevitable" for someone, you rule that one out and move on to the next, or if they are already terminal. You have to focus on the facts and whether the person is even capable of saving (especially with triage questions). You wouldn't go and save a person who has lost the lower half of their body/legs in a disaster whose unresponsive, before a person who is capable of being saved. Use good judgment and you will be ok.