Jennifer is a nursing student who is assigned the following three patients. Which patient would be your first priority?

Jennifer is a nursing student who is assigned the following three patients. Which patient would be your first priority?

• A. Mrs. Sinclair, who is scheduled for surgery to repair a fractured right hip
• B. Mr. Timmons, who has finished lunch and is ready for pain medication
• C. Mr. Dodson, who has a postoperative wound infection and is due for antibiotic medication
• D. Mr. Chen, who is stable and has no urgent needs

Answer: (C)

Prioritizing care hinges on addressing the condition with the greatest risk of rapid deterioration. A postoperative wound infection that requires antibiotic therapy is the most urgent because an infection can quickly progress to sepsis, cause organ dysfunction, and delay healing if not treated promptly. Act quickly to administer the prescribed antibiotic, confirm allergies, monitor vital signs, and assess for signs of systemic infection. This approach helps prevent a downward spiral and supports safer, faster recovery. The other patients have lower immediate risk: one is awaiting a hip repair but otherwise stable, another needs pain medication after a meal but is not in acute danger, and the stable patient has no urgent needs.

Prioritizing care hinges on addressing the condition with the greatest risk of rapid deterioration. A postoperative wound infection that requires antibiotic therapy is the most urgent because an infection can quickly progress to sepsis, cause organ dysfunction, and delay healing if not treated promptly. Act quickly to administer the prescribed antibiotic, confirm allergies, monitor vital signs, and assess for signs of systemic infection. This approach helps prevent a downward spiral and supports safer, faster recovery. The other patients have lower immediate risk: one is awaiting a hip repair but otherwise stable, another needs pain medication after a meal but is not in acute danger, and the stable patient has no urgent needs.