Which of the following clients would the nurse assign the highest priority to? A nurse employed in an emergency department is assigned to assist with the triage of clients arriving to the emergency department for treatment on the evening shift.

A client with chest pain who states that he just ate pizza that was made with a very spicy sauce

In an emergency department. triage involves classifying clients according to their need for care. and it includes establishing priorities of care. The type of illness. the severity of the problem. and the resources available govern the process. Clients with trauma. chest pain. severe respiratory distress. cardiac arrest. limb amputation. or acute neurological deficits and those who sustained a chemical splash to the eyes are classified as emergent. and these clients are the number 1 priority. Clients with conditions such as simple fractures. asthma without respiratory distress. fever. hypertension. abdominal pain. or renal stones have urgent needs. and these clients are classified as the number 2 priority. Clients with conditions such as minor lacerations. sprains. or cold symptoms are classified as non urgent. and they are the number 3 priority.