Prioritization Strategies
What does CURE stand for?
Critical, Urgent, Routine, Extra.
Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and vapor-tight chemical resistant suit, gloves, and boots
Level A PPE
This foundational theory, represented as a pyramid, helps nurses assess and prioritize patient care by addressing basic needs first.
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs?
Triage category in which injuries are significant and require medical care but can wait hours without threat to life or limb?
Yellow (Delayed)
What is a key early sign of sepsis?
Fever, tachycardia, or altered mental status.
Who should be seen first: a patient with low blood sugar or a patient in pain?
The patient with low blood sugar.
Hospitals are required by this organization to conduct at least two emergency preparedness drills per year to ensure readiness for disasters
The Joint Commission (TJC)
When delegating tasks, a nurse must ensure the right task is assigned to the right person under the right supervision. This principle is part of what delegation guideline?
Five Rights of Delegation
In the START triage system, patients who can walk and have minor injuries are assigned this triage color.
Green (Minor)
Why are blood cultures obtained before antibiotics?
To identify the causative organism
When should a nurse reprioritize tasks?
When a stable patient suddenly deteriorates.
This federally mandated system coordinates personnel, facilities, and communication during emergencies and mass casualty incidents.
Incident Command System (ICS)
A patient with dysphagia following a recent stroke requires assistance with eating. Which healthcare team member should not be delegated this task due to the risk of aspiration
CNA, Care Partner, Patient Care Tech, Nurses Aide
A patient with a compromised airway that requires immediate intervention or has severe bleeding is assigned this triage color.
Red (Immediate)
What IV fluid is typically used for sepsis resuscitation?
Normal saline or lactated Ringer’s
Why is delegation important?
It allows nurses to focus on critical patient needs.
This specialized field of nursing focuses on providing critical care, triage, and emergency response during disasters and public health crises.
Disaster Nursing
A post-op patient with newly diagnosed diabetes requires insulin injection education. Reinforcing education is done by this person
LPN
The START triage system evaluates patients based on these three primary observations.
Respiration, Perfusion, and Mental Status
What medication is given if fluids do not improve blood pressure?
Vasopressors (e.g., norepinephrine)
What is the ABC approach in prioritization?
Airway, Breathing, Circulation—ensuring life-threatening conditions are managed first.
This modified version of the Incident Command System (ICS) ensures efficient coordination within healthcare facilities and includes roles such as Safety Officer, Logistics Chief, and Public Information Officer.
Hospital Incident Command System (HICS)
Which patient should be delegated to the LPN? A wound care dressing change or admission assessment?
A wound care dressing change
A patient with no pulse, no respirations even after an airway is opened, or injuries incompatible with survival is assigned this triage color
Black (Expectant/Deceased)
How would you recognize if this patient progresses to septic shock? Name at least 2
Persistent hypotension despite fluid resuscitation, worsening mental status, oliguria, increased lactate, and organ dysfunction