Management
A 12 year old female, with a history of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, is being admitted for re-evaluation. The child reported these symptoms for the last week: temperature of 102.9ºF/39.4ºC at 4:00 pm every day, increased pain in joints, loss of appetite, and fatigue. What would be an appropriate room assignment by the charge nurse? You answered this question Incorrectly 1. Private room only. 2. Rooming with a 12 year old male in skeletal traction due to a fractured femur. 3. Rooming with a 10 year old female that has been admitted for sickle cell disease. 4. Rooming with a 14 month old female that has been admitted for orthopedic surgery. Rationale
3. Correct: The appropriate answer is to room her with the 10 year old being worked up for sickle cell disease. This is an acceptable age/sex to pair as roommates. Each has a chronic illness and this allows them to see how another person with limitations adjusts. 1. Incorrect: It is not necessary for this child to be in a private room. The fever at a particular time of the day is a symptom of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and does not mean an infection. 2. Incorrect: It would be inappropriate to room her with a 12 year old male due to opposite sex and age. 4. Incorrect: The 12 year old who is in pain, feverish, and fatigued would be unable to rest as needed in a room with a 14 month old who is postoperative.
Prior to signing a consent form for surgery, the client states, "I am not sure that I understand the possible risks for this surgery and what the alternative treatments are." What should the nurse do first? You answered this question Incorrectly 1. Clarify any questions that the client may have and then share the client's concern with the primary healthcare provider. 2. Reinforce that it is not unusual for clients to have questions about surgery. 3. Inform the primary healthcare provider that the client has concerns about the surgery. 4. Use open ended questions to explore client's concerns. Rationale
3. Correct: The nurse should call the primary healthcare provider. Further discussion with the client is warranted from the primary healthcare provider that has scheduled and most likely will be performing the surgery. This also provides the client the opportunity to ask questions appropriately. 1. Incorrect: The client has the right to make informed decisions. The client should not sign until all questions are answered by the primary healthcare provider. 2. Incorrect: Recognizes client concerns, but does not take care of problem. The nurse has a responsibility to be an advocate for the client and practice within the law. 4. Incorrect: The informed consent comes from discussion between the primary healthcare provider and the client. The nurse can do this, but it doesn't fix the problem.
A nurse manager notices that unit nurses consistently forget to ask clients to rate their pain level on a scale of 0-10. What strategies could the nurse manager initiate to improve performance? You answered this question Incorrectly 1. Provide "just in time" posters outlining the critical importance and steps in pain assessment. 2. Conduct brief in-services for each shift. 3. Write nurses up when pain level scale is not utilized. 4. Ensure that a complete and clear performance standard exists. 5. Assess nurses' reasons for not using pain level scale. RationaleStrategies
1., 2., 4., 5. Correct: If nurses have been provided the knowledge and performed the skill before, but the opportunity to perform is presented infrequently, a different type of education is required. This may take the form of "just in time" tools such as posters or guidelines outlining the critical steps in performing the skill. Brief in-services, videos, or DVDs available on the unit may also be effective in providing on the spot refreshers. Ensuring that performance standards exist, are clear and complete, and that they are readily available to staff is essential. Of course, nurses must have read the standards and understand them. The first step in correcting a performance gap is to understand what the difference is between the behavior being exhibited and what the expectations are. Always assess why staff are doing or not doing what is needed for clients. There may be a lack of knowledge or there may be a sense of non-importance. Perhaps a process is not working properly. So assessment is first. 3. Incorrect. This is not the most effective way of improving performance as it is considered punitive. If the above listed strategies are not effective, formal reporting of the behavior may be necessary.
Which assignment by the charge nurse would be most appropriate for a general pediatric nurse being reassigned to the hematology/oncology pediatric unit? You answered this question Incorrectly 1. Child dying with leukemia who has been on the hematology/oncology unit for two weeks. 2. Teenager with sickle cell disease in for pain management. 3. Child admitted following a bicycle accident that has idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). 4. New admit scheduled for bone marrow transplant. 5. Child diagnosed with leukemia admitted for stomatitis.
2., 3., & 5. Correct: The nurse should be given an assignment similar to the type of clients and skill level the nurse is accustomed to on the general pediatric unit. Therefore, the choices should be these three clients. Even though one of the clients has leukemia, the child is being treated for stomatitis, not the leukemia. Sickle cell clients are frequently cared for on general pediatric units. The reassigned nurse has the knowledge and skills needed to meet the clients needs for pain management and treatment for the sickle cell disease. The general pediatric nurse should be competent in caring for children with low platelet counts, so the child with ITP could be assigned to this nurse. The nurse would be familiar with bleeding precautions, monitoring for bleeding, and associated care. 1. Incorrect: This client is dying with leukemia and needs consistency in the staff assigned to care for them. Although the general pediatric nurse could competently care for a dying child, the focus should be on the client. This child needs and deserves consistent care and care by those that are familiar to this child. 4. Incorrect: A child who is to receive a bone marrow transplant would not be the best assignment, since the nurse must have special preparation and an understanding of the protocol with a bone marrow transplant client. This is not something that a general pediatric nurse would typically do. Therefore, this client would need to be cared for by the nurses on the hematology/oncology unit who has this special training and/or knowledge.
Which task would be appropriate for the nurse to assign to the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)? You answered this question Incorrectly 1. Check the bladder for distension in the client who had a indwelling catheter removed 4 hours ago. 2. Obtain BP of client with syncope in the lying, sitting, and standing positions. 3. Prepare a sitz bath for a postpartum client. 4. Monitor for grimacing in the client who has had a stroke.
3. Correct. The UAP can assist clients with hygiene care, so it is within the scope of practice for the UAP to assist a client with a sitz bath for the postpartum client. 1. Incorrect. This is not within the scope of practice for the UAP. The nurse must assess and evaluate.Checking the bladder for distension is an assessment that requires the nurse's attention. 2. Incorrect. This client is not stable if having episodes of syncope that could be related to orthostatic hypotension. Since the client is not stable, the UAP should not obtain the client's BP. The nurse should assess the client. 4. Incorrect. The nurse cannot delegate an assessment or evaluation task to the UAP. This is beyond the scope of practice for the UAP.
Which goal is the most important for the nurse to address for a client admitted to the cardiac rehabilitation unit? You answered this question Incorrectly 1. Reduction of anxiety 2. Referral to community resources 3. Identification of lifestyle changes 4. Verbalization of energy-conservation techniques
3. Correct: On admission, the best starting point is to survey what is good and what needs to be changed. 1. Incorrect: No, people need some anxiety to change. 2. Incorrect: Not yet.This may be done, but it is not the most important thing right now. 4. Incorrect: For cardiac rehab we want to exercise, not conserve, at this point. Conserving energy is for times of hypoxia or angina.
The nurse manager on a medical-surgical unit receives official notification that staff overtime must be decreased as a cost-saving measure. In order to reorganize staffing, the nurse manager should initiate which action first? You answered this question Incorrectly 1. Announce the new changes at the monthly staff meeting. 2. Ask for any staff objections to rearranging work hours. 3. Invite staff to contribute ideas on scheduling changes. 4. Explain administration is demanding a decreased overtime.
3. Correct: The nurse manager is aware that open communication with staff is vital to increase workplace satisfaction and staff retention. One important aspect is encouraging the flow of ideas between management and staff members. Open communication and brainstorming sessions in which staff can freely share thoughts or ideas creates a positive work environment while helping decrease dissatisfaction. 1. Incorrect: While it is true that the nurse manager is ultimately responsible for implementing and announcing new schedule changes, doing so without any staff input can create discontent in the work environment. When staff do not feel vested in any new process, there is a sense of underappreciation. This perceived lack of control can create distrust and frustration among personnel, ultimately impacting client care. 2. Incorrect: Although this action appears to be opening lines of communication, the nurse manager is actually fostering animosity in a situation where the outcome is already pre-determined. Allowing staff to vent is acceptable but the nurse manager should focus on constructive methods of adjustment to the impending mandated changes. 4. Incorrect: The nurse manager is aware that health care facilities often face both political and financial issues that impact staff and clients simultaneously. The responsibility of the nurse manager is to implement change in a positive manner, while assisting staff adaptation even to unpopular modifications. Assigning blame for the changes to administration will not help staff adjust.
After shift report, which client should the nurse see first? You answered this question Incorrectly 1. Eight year old that is in skeletal traction. 2. Six year old who is 5 hours postop appendectomy. 3. Unattended two year old admitted for a sleep study. 4. Four year old cerebral palsy child with a tracheostomy admitted for urinary tract infection (UTI).
3. Correct: The unattended child should be checked first to make sure he/she is safe and having no complications. A child this age is entirely dependent on someone else. Safety is priority here. 1. Incorrect: An eight year old in skeletal traction does not take priority over unattended 2 year old.. 2. Incorrect: A six year old who is 5 hr post appendectomy should be seen, but not as immediate as an unattended 2 year old. 4. Incorrect: This client has UTI and not acutely ill at this time. The major clues are age and unattended. This child's safety is the reason the child takes priority.
The triage nurse in the emergency department is prioritizing the client care for new clients. What is the correct order in which the clients should be evaluated? You answered this question Incorrectly The Correct Order Infant having a tonic-clonic seizure. Elderly client rating intermittent substernal chest pain a 4 on a 10-point pain scale. Adult reporting right lower quadrant abdominal pain. Child who has a laceration to the hand with bleeding controlled by pressure. Teenager with a blood glucose of 108 mg/dL (6 mmol/L).
First the nurse needs to evaluate the infant having a seizure. This client is in acute distress. The infant should be treated first to assess the infant's airway and neurological status. Second would be the elderly client presenting with chest pain who has a pain intensity of 4 on a scale of 10. Chest pain is possible symptom of a lethal cardiac event. At the time of the triage the infant's seizure activity and potential airway obstruction should be attended to first. Third would be the adult client with abdominal pain. The abdomen is painful, but clients with potential life-threatening complications should be evaluated first. Next, the child presenting with a laceration to the hand, should be seen. The bleeding is under control with pressure so can be seen after the other three clients. The teenage client's blood glucose level is with normal limits. The other clients should be attended to first, so this client would be last.
A new nurse is preparing to give a medication to a nine month old client. After checking a drug reference book, crushing the tablet and mixing it into 3 ounces of applesauce, the new nurse proceeds to the client's room. What priority action should the supervising nurse take? You answered this question Correctly 1. Tell the new nurse to recheck the drug reference book before administering the medication. 2. Suggest the new nurse reconsider the client's developmental needs. 3. Check the prescription order and the client dose. 4. Observe the new nurse administer the medication.
2. Correct. Mixing medication with applesauce is appropriate in some circumstances, but the volume of 3 ounces is excessive for a nine month old. The nurse will want to make sure the client gets all of the medication. Additionally, applesauce may or may not have been introduced into the diet, and it is inappropriate to introduce a new food during an illness. 1. Incorrect. There is nothing in the stem about a problem with the medication dose or route. The drug reference book does not provide guidelines for meeting developmental needs when administering the medication. This is something that the nurse must look up if uncertain about developmental tasks. 3. Incorrect. There is nothing in the stem about a problem with the medication dose or route. Once the medication has been mixed in applesauce, the supervising nurse would not be able to compare the dose to the prescribed amount. Therefore, this would not be an appropriate action. It would not address the developmental task that is the underlying issue here. 4. Incorrect. This is an appropriate action. However, it is not the priority. The new nurse should be competent in medication administration but is needing guidance with the developmental considerations related to medication to a nine month old.
Which tasks should the nurse delegate to the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)? 1. Demonstrate post operative exercises. 2. Reposition the transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) unit. 3. Empty the indwelling catheter bag. 4. Assist a client with position change every 2 hours. 5. Apply anti-embolism stockings.
3., 4. & 5. Correct. It is within the role of an UAP to empty the indwelling catheter bag, assist with position change and apply anti-embolism stockings. The nurse should confirm that these tasks have been done, but they are safe to delegate to the UAP. 1. Incorrect. This is a task for the RN and involves teaching and evaluation of effectiveness. 2. Incorrect. The physical therapist is the best team member to manage the TENS unit since this is a pain control device that affects nerves and muscles.
Which tasks can the nurse delegate to the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)? You answered this question Correctly 1. Reporting lab results to the client 2. Measuring intake and output 3. Discontinuing an IV 4. Discussing client condition with the client's spouse 5. Performing oral hygiene for an older client
2. & 5. Correct: Measurement of intake and output and oral hygiene for the older client are tasks that the UAP can perform, and these tasks may be delegated. 1. Incorrect: Reporting of lab results should be accomplished by the nurse who has the knowledge to interpret results. This is not appropriate for the UAP and must be done by a licensed nurse. 3. Incorrect: Removal of the IV requires assessment skills that the unlicensed assistive personnel does not have. 4. Incorrect: Discussion of client's condition should be done by the nurse with the client's permission.
The nurse is evaluating the outcomes of nursing interventions for the client on the long-term care unit. The nurse has determined that the goal was partially met. What should the first nursing action be at this point to maintain quality of care? 1. Identify a new goal for the client since this one has not been achieved. 2. Consider new nursing interventions for achievement of the goal if the condition still warrants it. 3. Determine that the nursing interventions were performed as planned. 4. Allow more time for achievement of the goal.
3. Correct: First, the nurse will want to determine that the interventions were performed. If they were not carried out, the goal could not be achieved. In addition, the nurse should determine if the nursing interventions were carried out appropriately and completely. Evaluation of the effectiveness of the nursing interventions would follow. 1. Incorrect: New goals may need to be identified; however, in this case it is not yet known if the interventions were carried out appropriately. Until it is determined that the current nursing interventions were implemented and performed appropriately, there is no way to accurately explore if new goals are needed. The original goals may be the most appropriate for the client. 2. Incorrect: New interventions may be appropriate; however, there is another option that is better. The original nursing interventions should have been identified based on the client's needs. Until the nurse determines if these were carried out appropriately, it would be premature to establish new nursing interventions. 4. Incorrect: Additional time for goal attainment may be appropriate; however, other actions should be performed first. Before extending time for achieving the goal, the nurse should determine if the nursing interventions have been carried out appropriately. If these have been performed, extending the time for goal attainment may delay making changes that are needed.
An elderly client is admitted to the floor with vomiting and diarrhea for three days. The client is receiving IV fluids at 200 mL/hr via pump. What would be the priority nursing action? You answered this question Incorrectly 1. Obtaining Intake and Output 2. Frequent lung assessments 3. Vital signs every shift 4. Monitoring the IV site for infiltration
2. Correct: IV fluids at 200 mL/hr is a rapid infusion rate. The elderly adult is at risk for circulatory overload and should be closely monitored during rapid infusion rates. Lung assessments are important in detecting fluid overload. The client may experience shortness of breath and moist crackles on auscultation. 1. Incorrect: I and O are important, but less priority than lung assessment in the elderly client. 3. Incorrect: Vital signs should probably be more frequent than every shift on the elderly client with dehydration. 4. Incorrect: The IV site should be monitored for infiltration, but will not be priority over lung assessment in the elderly client.
A new nurse has a prescription to insert a feeding tube. The new nurse has never performed the procedure, but learned how to do it while in nursing school. What would be the best action by this new nurse? You answered this question Incorrectly 1. Ask to observe another nurse perform the procedure. 2. Look up how to perform the procedure in the policy and procedure manual. 3. Tell the charge nurse that someone else will have to insert the feeding tube. 4. Insert the feeding tube as learned in nursing school.
2. Correct: The best action for the nurse, is to look up how the procedure is done in the agency policy and procedure manual. The nurse could then discuss the procedure with a fellow nurse and ask them to observe during the procedure. 1. Incorrect: This is passive and will not give the new nurse the experience they need. The best action would be to look up how to do the procedure. Then the new nurse could discuss with another nurse, and have that nurse observe the insertion of the feeding tube by the new nurse. 3. Incorrect: This is not the best option. The new nurse needs to learn how to insert a feeding tube. This will not help the new nurse learn. Actually doing the procedure after checking the policy and procedures manual will give the new nurse the experience they need. 4. Incorrect: Nursing school knowledge is needed but also check agency policy and procedure manuals. Then the new nurse can discuss the procedure with a fellow nurse and ask the them to observe the feeding tube insertion.
A fully alert and competent client is in end-stage cardiac disease. The client says, "I'm ready to die," and refuses to take nourishment. The family urges the client to allow the nurse to insert a feeding tube. What action should the nurse take? You answered this question Incorrectly 1. Tell the family that the feeding tube will be inserted after the client becomes unresponsive. 2. Ask the primary healthcare provider to have the dietician talk with the client about food preferences. 3. Notify the case manager to arrange a meeting with the client's family . 4. Provide additional information as requested by the client concerning nourishment.
4. Correct: This client is alert and competent, and has the right to make healthcare decisions and the right to die with dignity. The nurse should provide any additional information as requested by the client. 1. Incorrect: This is inappropriate, as it does not follow the client's wishes and would be a violation of client rights. 2. Incorrect: The client has made the decision to refuse nourishment so this action ignores this decision and violates client rights. 3. Incorrect: The nurse should honor the client's wishes first. The family would only need to meet if the client became unable to make decisions on their own. Even so, these decisions could not violate any advance directives that were in place.
A Hispanic client is considering treatment options for cancer. The client says that she needs to discuss the options with her sons before she makes her final decision. What should the nurse say to the client? You answered this question Incorrectly 1. You are wanting your sons to assist you in deciding about treatment options. 2. It is really your decision about which option you choose. 3. I will be happy to discuss this issue with you. 4. This shows that you are proud of your sons.
1. Correct: This is paraphrasing the client's statement and is a therapeutic response. Within this culture the family plays a very important role when making decisions about healthcare. 2. Incorrect: Although clients have the right to make autonomous decisions, it is important to remember cultural variations regarding the decision making process. 3. Incorrect: The nurse can discuss the issue; however, the males in the family have much influence on decisions. 4. Incorrect: This is giving an opinion on the relationship of the mother and sons. While this may be true, it does not focus on the cultural aspect of the question and is not the best response.
A client with cancer refuses treatment and asks about options for hospice home care. The client's daughter asks the case manager to talk the client into agreeing to cancer treatment. The nurse explains to the daughter that this violates which client right? You answered this question Incorrectly 1. To self-determination 2. To decline participation in research studies and experimental treatments 3. To expect reasonable continuity of care 4. To make decisions about the plan of care 5. To advocacy
1., & 4. Correct: Under the Patient Self-Determination Act (PSDA), healthcare institutions provide clients with a summary of their rights when making health care decisions as well as the facility's policies regarding recognition of advanced directives. The client is advised of the right to consent to or refuse treatment. Client rights refer to such matters as access to care, dignity, confidentiality, and consent to treatment. The competent adult client has the right to participate in the plan of care, to refuse a proposed treatment, and to accept alternative care and treatment. Documentation should be made that the client fully understands the risks and benefits of their decision. 2. Incorrect: The right to decline participation in research or experimental studies is incorrect because no research or experimental treatment is proposed to the client. 3. Incorrect: The right to expect reasonable continuity of care appears to be a possible correct answer, but is incorrect because the client has not been transferred to hospice home care. Attempting to convince the client to agree to cancer treatment would not be pertinent to continuity of care in this situation. 5. Incorrect: The right to advocacy relates to the right to have another person present during interviews or examinations. This right would not be violated by the nurse if attempts were made to convince the client to have cancer treatment.
What actions should a nurse take to provide continuity of care when discharging a client diagnosed with hemiparesis to a long-term care facility for rehabilitation? You answered this question Incorrectly 1. Document current functional status assessment 2. Notify the primary healthcare provider of transfer completion. 3. Transfer essential medical record to the receiving facility. 4. Phone report to the receiving nurse. 5. Send a day's worth of medications with the client to the receiving facility.
1., 2., 3., & 4. Correct: Documentation of the client's baseline functional status is important for the receiving facility to work with in further goal setting. It is the primary healthcare provider's role to receive acceptance for transferring a client to another facility. A copy of select parts of the medical recording, according to facility policy, is another form of communication that will support continuity of care. It is the nurse's responsibility to communicate the client's condition and care plan to the receiving facility nurse in order to support continuity of care. 5. Incorrect: Medications are not transferred with the client to a new facility. A list of current medications is sent to the facility.
The charge nurse tells a nurse that multiple sick calls from the upcoming shift has occurred. The charge nurse asks the nurse who works in a state where mandatory overtime is legal to work an additional 8 hours of mandatory overtime. The nurse has just completed a 12 hour shift. What options would be appropriate for the nurse to take? You answered this question Incorrectly 1. Assess personal level of fatigue prior to making a decision regarding accepting or refusing assignment. 2. Suggest splitting the shift with another nurse. 3. Accept assignment, documenting personal concerns regarding work conditions. 4. Refuse the overtime assignment, being prepared for disciplinary action. 5. Simply accept the assignment since overtime is mandatory.
1., 2., 3., & 4. Correct: The nurse's level of fatigue must be considered especially under conditions of mandatory overtime. Splitting the overtime shift is an acceptable option that the nurse could suggest in order to solve the staffing problem and decrease the amount of time the nurse will be working. The nurse can accept the assignment, documenting your personal concerns regarding working conditions in which management decides the legitimacy of employee's personal concerns. This documentation should go to your manager. Refuse the assignment, being prepared for disciplinary action. If your reasons for refusal were client safety, nurse safety, or an imperative personal commitment, document this carefully including the process you used to inform the facility (nurse manager) of your concerns. Keep a personal copy of this documentation, provide a copy to the immediate supervisor, and send a copy to the Local Unit Officer. 5. Incorrect. The nurse can also accept the assignment; however, that nurse should document professional concern for client safety and the process you used to inform the facility (manager) of your concerns. Remember if you work overtime, fatigue is not a viable reason for a error and will not stand up in court
The nurse educator has provided education to newly hired emergency department nurses regarding mandatory reporting laws. Which suspected instances provided by the new nurses indicates to the nurse educator that education was effective? You answered this question Incorrectly 1. Financial abuse of an elder 2. Negligence of a colleague 3. Spousal abuse denied by the victim 4. Gunshot victim 5. Client diagnosed with Gonorrhea 6. Client diagnosed with West Nile virus
1., 4., 5., & 6. Correct: Federal and state laws require that certain individuals, particularly those who work in health care with the elderly, with children, and other vulnerable populations, have an affirmative duty to report to a specified state agency when violence occurs against those populations. This includes physical, mental, and financial abuse. Gunshots and knife injuries are reportable to law enforcement. Certain communicable diseases such as gonorrhea and West Nile virus are reportable to the CDC. 2. Incorrect: Suspected negligence of a colleague is not in the realm of mandatory reporting to authorities, but the nurse should discuss with the supervisor. 3. Incorrect: A spouse is not considered a vulnerable person so it is not required by law to report. You should encourage the spouse to report the abuse but you, as the nurse, are not bound by law to do so.
The nurse receives report about a client who is termed "a drug seeker". The nurse giving report states that the client does not need the pain medication and is just asking for medication because the client is "hooked on it." After receiving report, what actions should the nurse take? You answered this question Incorrectly 1. Consult with the primary healthcare provider. 2. Assess the client. 3. Increase gradually the time between pain medication. 4. Encourage the client to wait longer before requesting the medication. 5. Utilize a pain scale to determine level of pain.
2. & 5. Correct: The nurse should carefully assess the client. The nurse must serve as an advocate for the client. A pain scale is used to determine level of pain. 1. Incorrect: The nurse must assess the client before consulting with the primary healthcare provider about the medication. 3. Incorrect: This action assumes that the client does not have pain, which does not take into consideration what is wrong with the client. 4. Incorrect: This action assumes that the client is a "drug seeker". The nurse must carefully assess the client.
In what order should the nurse address these client events that occur at the same time? Place in order of highest to lowest priority. You answered this question Incorrectly The Correct Order Client's tracheostomy needs to be suctioned. The water seal chamber is empty in a client's closed chest drainage unit. UAP reports a heart rate of 40/min in a client. Client who is on bedrest due to a deep vein thrombus attempting to get out of bed. Client reporting urinary frequency and dysuria.
The client with the highest need is the client who has a tracheostomy that needs to be suctioned. This client has an airway problem. Maintaining a patent airway is vital to life and is always the first priority. The next client to be seen is the client whose water seal chamber is empty which prevents the CDU from being a closed system. This can create a breathing problem. The purpose of the water seal chamber is to allow air to escape from the pleural space and yet prevent air from re-entering the pleural space. It is a one-way system. The water should be at the prescribed level (2 cm) to maintain this one-way water seal. If air is allowed to re-enter the pleural space, the lung can collapse again (pneumothorax). Once the other client's airway is suctioned, this would be the next priority. The third client to be seen is the client with a heart rate of 40/min which may be affecting cardiac output. This is a circulatory problem. Circulation follows airway and breathing in priority setting. The fourth client to be seen is the client on bedrest for a DVT. If the client gets up and ambulates, the clot can break lose and form an embolus. Although this could potentially be dangerous, it does not take priority over airway or circulatory issues that exist. The fifth client would be the one reporting frequency and dysuria. This client does not have a life-threatening problem. Therefore, this would be the lowest in priority from the events presented.
