When triaging emergency room clients, which client should the nurse assess first?

Choice A Reason: A client with multisystem failure secondary to a motor vehicle collision is not an appropriate assignment for the new graduate nurse. This client has complex and unstable needs that require advanced assessment, intervention, and evaluation skills. The nurse should assign this client to a nurse with 10 years experience, who has more expertise and confidence in managing critically ill clients.

Choice B Reason: A client in end-stage liver failure who is experiencing esophageal bleeding is not an appropriate assignment for the new graduate nurse. This client has a high risk of complications such as hemorrhage, infection, hepatic encephalopathy, and hepatic coma. The nurse should assign this client to a nurse with 5 years experience, who has more knowledge and skill in providing palliative care and managing bleeding disorders.

Choice C Reason: A client with Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome who is on a ventilator is not an appropriate assignment for the new graduate nurse. This client has a life-threatening condition that requires close monitoring of respiratory status, oxygenation, and hemodynamics. The nurse should assign this client to a nurse with 10 years of experience, who has more competence and proficiency in caring for ventilated clients and interpreting data from invasive devices.

Choice D Reason: A client with chest tubes secondary to a stab wound to the chest is an appropriate assignment for the new graduate nurse. This client has a relatively stable condition that requires routine care of chest tubes, pain management, and wound healing. The nurse should assign this client to the new graduate nurse, who has learned the basic principles and techniques of chest tube management during the refresher course and the internship. The charge nurse should also provide supervision and support to the new graduate nurse as needed.

Choice A Reason: This role is responsible for coordinating the continuum of care for clients with complex health needs, such as head injury. The nurse case manager collaborates with the interdisciplinary team, the client, and the family to plan, implement, and evaluate the client's care from admission to discharge.

Choice B Reason: This role is responsible for providing primary and specialty care to adults, such as diagnosing and treating acute and chronic conditions, prescribing medications, and ordering tests. The adult nurse practitioner may be involved in the client's care, but not in coordinating it.

Choice C Reason: This role is responsible for managing the daily operations of the neurology unit, such as staffing, budgeting, quality improvement, and staff development. The neurology unit supervisor may oversee the client's care while on the unit, but not throughout the continuum of care.

Choice D Reason: This role is responsible for identifying and preventing potential risks and liabilities in the healthcare setting, such as errors, injuries, infections, or lawsuits. The risk management nurse may monitor the client's care for quality and safety issues, but not for coordination.