Prioritization of Nursing Care: A Crucial Skill for RNs

Module1: Critical Thinking, decision making and professional development
Admittedly, prioritization of nursing care is a crucial skill employed by registered nurses
(RNs) to make decision on the patient needs that call for urgent actions and the ones that could
be delayed to a later time (Ridley & Taylor, 2016). Additionally, Ridley and Taylor (2016) stress
that both professional judgement and critical thinking greatly aids RNs to gain leadership quality
which include prioritization of patient care and delegation. In the Registered nurse standards of
practice, the standard 3.4 stipulates that the RN is accountable for medical decisions and actions
tied to the nursing process in their lines of duty. Furthermore, they are also responsible for the
actions of other parties to whom they have delegated tasks (Nursing and Midwifery Board of
Australia [NMBA], 2016). That said, not only does prioritization of nursing care inform practice
and education but also promotes better use of limited resources and maximization of patient
health outcomes (Hunter et al., 2016).
Based on the scenario, the priority of care is as follow:
1. Immediate attention needs to be accorded to both Mr. Smith’s guest who has passed out
and the unconscious elderly lady post-operative who had fell unconscious to the floor.
The two situations are regarded as medical emergencies and therefore call for immediate
action. Since the other RN is engaged in the Num role, tasks ought to be shared tasks to
both the Enrolled Nurse (EN) and the Assistant in Nursing (AIN) in a bid to provide safe
medical care in the critical situation (Suhonen et al., 2018). Following the guidelines of
DRSABCD, an abbreviation for danger, response, send for help, airway, breathing, CPR,
and defibrillation the next measure would be to attend to the unconscious lady and send
the EN to make a detailed assessment of the fainted guest. It is also necessary to ask the
AIN to press medical emergency team (MET) call and conduct observations of vital

signs. The MET system’s goal in a hospital setting is to promptly send trained staff to
care for patients whose health were deteriorating and to further curb cardiac arrests,
morbidity, and mortality (Hunter et al., 2016).
2. After the arrival of the MET and the unconscious lady has stabilized, the next measure
would be to check on the EN who was assisting the fainted guest. Upon realizing that the
visitor did not recover within a short period, a request has to be made to the ward clerk to
call the orderly for the transfer of Mr. Smith’s guest to the emergency unit for further
medical aid.
3. Due to Mr. Esposito’s cardiac catheterization schedule, preoperative medication has to be
administered as soon as possible. Given that catheterization is a crucial procedure, the
patient has to be listed on the waiting list and needs to fast for between 6 and 8 hours
prior (Kosova & Ricciardi, 2017). Additionally, Brennand et al., (2016) stress that the
nurse ought to ensure the consent form for the procedure has been signed by patient. The
nurse is also responsible for ensuring that the area for catheter insertion is thoroughly
shaved and cleansed with an antiseptic solution. Notably, cancellation and late operation
is likely to increase a patient’s anxiety and disappointment.
4. A request would be tabled to the EN to call the medical officer to perform cannula
insertion or rather ask for another staff competent enough to undertake the task given that
the EN is not fully competent for intravenous cannulation. Furthermore, the tissued
cannula has to be immediately removed to avoid surrounding tissues narcosis and
infection (Kosova & Ricciardi, 2017).

5. The ward clerk is tasked with the responsibility of contacting emergency maintenance
unit since they are knowledgeable of the appropriate department to contact to fix the
overflowing and blocked staff toilet.
6. The last priority is discussing an error tied to medication with one of surgical consultants
(VMO). In line with safety incidents, Bifftu, Dachew, Tiruneh, & Beshah (2016)
highlight that an apology followed by a full explanation of the medication error can aid in
stress alleviation thereby reassuring complainants that mistakes will not reoccur.
Module 2: Collaborative and Therapeutic Practice
1. Identify factors that determine which healthcare professionals are required to be
involved in a health care team?
In line with health care delivery, an effective teamwork often enhances patients’ safety
and improves health outcomes (Galletta, Portoghese, Carta, D’Aloja, & Campagna, 2016).
According to Galletta et al., (2016), team-based health care is generally defined as the provision
of health care related services to individuals, families, and the community as a whole. These
above-mentioned services are delivered by two or more health care providers who jointly work
with patients and their caregivers to realize coordinated goals and high-quality care. The
Australian health care system has a multidisciplinary team made up of professionals from varied
disciplines who join hands to deliver an all-inclusive patient care (Australian College of Nursing,
2015). For instance, general practitioners, community health nurses, practice nurses, health
instructors and allied health experts who include but not limited to occupational therapists,
physiotherapists, psychologists, dieticians, social workers and Aboriginal Health workers are
part of the multidisciplinary team (Australian College of Nursing, 2015). According to the

Australian College of Nursing (2015), in case of disease progression or periodical changes in a
patient’s health over time, the team steps up and readjusts to meet the underlying psychological
and medical needs of the given patient. Positive outcomes are only realized when the health
professionals employ coordinated and multidisciplinary approaches to patient care (MND
Australia, 2013).
2. Who should lead the health care team?
Regardless of job title and position in health care team, leaderships skills are crucial to
advocacy and patient care (Australian College of Nursing, 2015). Health care as a whole
deserves a strong leadership that will be well placed to maintain the productive and cost-effective
health services. In a bid to offer top-notch quality care to patients, nurses can be leaders who
place focus on patient centered care, which places priority on the parties that can best meet
patient’s needs.
3. Who is the most important member of the health care team?
According to reading on LEO under the second module, the most valuable and sometimes
neglected party in the health care team is the patient and his or her family. RNs practice base on
the model of patient centered care. The model respects a patient’s experiences, needs, values, and
preferences when it comes to the planning, coordination, and health care delivery (NMBA,
2016).
Case study 3
The key issues in this situation are:
 Fractures of Robert’s R tibia/fibula and R radius which limited his mobility