For a patient who has all of the following nursing diagnoses, which should be given highest priority?
a. Anxiety
b. Constipation
c. Deficient fluid volume
d. Ineffective airway clearance
ANS: D
Ineffective airway clearance is the highest priority because, of the three physiological problems, it is most likely to be immediately life threatening. Anxiety is the lowest priority because it is not physiological.
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