Prioritization of High-Risk Patient Scenarios

A nurse is working on a busy medical-surgical unit and is faced with several client scenarios requiring prioritization. The nurse has to manage care effectively to ensure optimal outcomes for all patients. The following client care scenarios are present:

1. A 75-year-old patient with a history of heart failure is experiencing shortness of breath after receiving a diuretic.

2. A 42-year-old patient who is post-operative day one from laparoscopic surgery is complaining of nausea and has not voided since surgery.

3. A 30-year-old patient with new-onset diabetes presents with a blood glucose level of 60 mg/dL and shows signs of confusion.

4. A 50-year-old patient undergoing chemotherapy is experiencing a fever of 101.5°F and reports chills.

5. A 60-year-old patient with chronic kidney disease requires assistance with medication management for his dialysis regimen.

6. A 25-year-old patient arrives in the emergency department with chest pain, and an EKG shows ST elevations.

Given these scenarios, rank the situations based on priority and immediate intervention requirements.