A patient, assigned as nonurgent in the emergency department, begins to have shortness of breath and is dizzy. Which of the following should be done to assist this patient?
1. Immediately reassess and assign the category of emergent
2. Immediately reassess and assign the category of resuscitation
3. Immediately reassess and assign the category of urgent
4. Remind the individual to be patient and wait to be seen
Immediately reassess and assign the category of emergent
Rationale: Even when patients have been assigned a triage category, their condition might change, so patients who are waiting to be seen should be reassessed at regular intervals. This patient should be immediately reassessed and assigned the category of emergent because he has an immediately life-threatening problem. The patient does not need resuscitation. An urgent patient will need to wait a bit longer; this patient must be treated immediately. The patient should not be scolded for needing help but rather be reassessed, assigned another category, and treated immediately.
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