The nurse arrives for their morning shift on a hospital unit…
The nurse arrives for their morning shift on a hospital unit and is assigned to care for four patients. Determine which patient is the highest priority and should be seen first. Then determine which patient is the lowest priority and can be delegated to the CNA. Patient with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) who reports blurred vision and leg spasms. Patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) who has a weak cough and is in need of supplemental oxygen. Patient with a thoracic spinal cord injury at level T12 requesting assistance evacuating their bowels. Patient with a history of epilepsy who is due for their daily antiepileptic mediation dose. Which patient should the nurse see first? Which patient can appropriately be delegated to the CNA?