Which patient statement would the nurse evaluate as reflecting the current trend in use of the emergency department? Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply
1. "I had to wait for 3 hours to be seen for my head cold.".
2. "My dad had to stay in the ED overnight until a bed was available in the intensive care unit.".
3. "I wanted to go to an ED across town, but they aren't accepting any ambulance patients right now.".
4. "The lady in the office told me I should go somewhere else for care, but I am just too sick.".
5. "The waiting room is packed with people who are sneezing and coughing.".
1,2,3,5
Rationale 1: Wait times are lengthening as more patients are using the ED for primary care.
Rationale 2: Critically ill patients are sometimes "boarded" in the ED while awaiting a bed in a specialty unit.
Rationale 3: EDs have become so overwhelmed that they periodically have to go on divert status to allow staff to provide care to the patients already admitted to the ED.
Rationale 4: According to the Emergency Medical Transport and Active Labor Act, people who present to the ED for care cannot be turned away.
Rationale 5: Waiting rooms are often crowded with people who do not need emergency care but have nowhere else to turn.
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Fill in the blank(s) with the appropriate word(s).