A nurse in the physician's office must multitask assignments according to client needs. Arrange the clients in order of which should be assessed/assisted from first to last?

Question

A) A client in an examining room on an ill office call who reports flulike symptoms
B) A client in the office reception area who appears unannounced due to chest heaviness
C) A client calling on the phone who is inquiring about doubling the morning dose of medication because of forgetting the last day's dose
D) A client who needs to be called by the nurse to advice of a medication dosage change
E) A client who stopped into the office to pick up sample medications

Answer 1

A, B, C, D, E
Feedback:
All nurses must manage multiple client needs in a timely manner. Nurses must prioritize to determine the proper order of response. Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs can be helpful to make that determination in certain circumstances. A client with chest heaviness potentially could be having a life-threatening condition needing attention immediately. Next, the client in the exam room needs vital signs and a history of present illness before the physician enters. To maintain the flow of the office, this client is a priority. Next, the nurse would answer the question of the client on the phone who may otherwise incorrectly ingest a double dose of medication. Next, a client needs to be called with medication dosage change. Lastly, the client in the office who has come to obtain sample medication needs medication instruction on dosage and side effects.