A nurse is conducting a disaster preparedness drill with a group of nurses who are orienting to the facility. Which of the following triage tag colors should the nurse instruct the group to apply to a client who has full-thickness burns on 72% of his body?

A. A client who has peripheral vascular disease and has an absent pedal pulse in the right foot is not the highest priority because this is a chronic condition that does not pose an
immediate threat to the client's health. The nurse should monitor the client's circulation, provide education on foot care, and encourage smoking cessation if applicable.
B. This client is at risk for urinary retention, which can lead to bladder distension,
infection, and renal damage. The nurse should assess the client's bladder, perform a
bladder scan, and notify the provider if indicated. This is the most urgent situation that requires immediate intervention.
C. A client who is newly diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and is scheduled to begin IV chemotherapy is not the highest priority because this is a planned procedure that does not require immediate action. The nurse should prepare the client for chemotherapy, provide emotional support, and teach the client about potential side effects and complications.
D. A client who has methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and has an
axillary temperature of 38° C (101° F) is not the highest priority because this is a sign of infection that can be managed with antibiotics and infection control measures. The nurse should administer the prescribed antibiotics, monitor the client's vital signs, and
implement contact precautions.

A. Contacting the provider may be part of the process, but it does not directly address the conflict between the family members' wishes and the health care surrogate's legal authority.
B. While the ethics committee can be a valuable resource in resolving disputes, it is not the first step in this situation, as the health care surrogate has the legal right to make decisions on behalf of the unconscious client.
C. The health care surrogate is legally designated to make health care decisions for the client when they are unable to do so themselves. This includes decisions about life-sustaining treatments such as a feeding tube.
D. Reviewing the client's advance directives is important, but it does not supersede the authority of the health care surrogate unless the directives explicitly limit the surrogate's decision-making power.