identifying immediate priorities Flashcards
describe the principles of setting priorities
1.complete a health history, including allergies, medications, current medical problems, and reason for visit
- determine whether any problems are related and set priorities
describe priority settings
evolves over time with changes in priority depending on the relationship between and severity of problems
give an example of priority settings
patient is having difficulty breathing because of acute rib pain, managing the pain may be a higher priority than dealing with a rapid pulse.
what is the first step in priority setting
Assign high priority to first-level priority problems such as airway, breathing, and circulation
what is the second step in priority setting
Next attend to second-level priority problems, which include mental status changes, acute pain, infection risk, abnormal laboratory values, and elimination problems.
what is the third step in priority setting
Address third-level priority problems such as lack of knowledge, mobility problems, and family coping.