The nurse manager makes a quick visit with patients in the emergency department (ED) waiting area. The manager is concerned about one patient who was originally assigned nonurgent status, even though there is no specific change from the triage assessment. What action should the manager take?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

If the nurse manager has concerns about the patient, it is important to take action to ensure the patient's needs are met. Changing the triage tag to urgent will alert the ED staff to prioritize the patient's care and potentially lead to faster treatment. Simply checking on the patient in another 15 minutes or telling the admittance clerk to keep an eye on the patient may not provide sufficient action if the patient's condition worsens. Blaming the concern on the number of patients waiting is not a proactive solution to address the patient's potential needs.

The Nurse Manager Makes a Quick Visit with Patients in the Emergency