Four clients have arrived in the Emergency Department for treatment and care. Rick Rescue, RN is working as the triage nurse and needs to prioritize the clients. What is the proper order, based on priority, of the following clients?
I.47-year-old female, complaining of nausea, along with pain to lower chest and epigastric area, after enjoying a Mexican dinner.
II. 10-year-old female, with a ½-inch laceration to right knee, after falling while riding a skateboard.
III. 17-year-old male, complaining of headache, myalgia, and mildly elevated temperature (99.9 degrees).
IV. 32-year-old male, complaining of pain and swelling, along with inability to bear weight on left foot, after sliding home in a softball game.
Explanation
Answer: A- The client experiencing nausea and pain to her lower chest and epigastric area is the highest priority. She may be experiencing nothing more serious than heartburn; however, there is a possibility that she is experiencing a myocardial infarction. The 10-year-old with the knee laceration may need sutures, but the injury is not of an urgent nature. She is the next priority because of her young age (pediatric client). Although the 32-year-old with the left foot injury quite possibly may have a fracture or severe sprain, his injury will not worsen while waiting for the MD examination or X-rays, and is considered non-urgent. The 17-year-old is presenting flu-like symptoms (headache, muscle aches, and low-grade fever) and is the least urgent of the group.
