A nurse arrives at the start of a morning shift on a medical-surgical unit with six assigned patients. Which patient situations require immediate priority assessment and intervention before completing routine tasks? Select all that apply.

Correct: 1, 2, 5. (1) A blood glucose of 38 mg/dL with diaphoresis and confusion is an immediate neurologic and safety threat. Assess the client's ability to swallow and treat promptly per protocol: give fast-acting oral carbohydrate only if swallowing is safe; otherwise use IV dextrose or glucagon as ordered. (2) New dyspnea with an oxygen saturation of 86% on room air is an acute breathing problem that requires immediate assessment, oxygen support as indicated, and rapid evaluation of the cause. (5) New severe chest pain radiating to the left arm with diaphoresis suggests acute coronary syndrome and requires immediate assessment, a 12-lead ECG, and activation of the emergency protocol. Incorrect: (3) Discharge teaching can be deferred until urgent physiologic problems are stabilized. (4) A scheduled antihypertensive for stable chronic hypertension is important but not the first priority in this scenario. (6) Morning hygiene can be deferred or delegated to appropriately trained assistive personnel after the nurse assesses the client's stability. The priority sequence is acute airway, breathing, circulation, or glucose compromise before stable chronic care, routine care, and teaching.