# The charge nurse receives reports about eight clients. Drag each report to the most appropriate priority group for the next nursing round. > source: MyMerci (mymerci.kr) > url: https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=395441&lang=en > language: en > subject: Establishing Priorities > category: MOC ## Question The charge nurse receives reports about eight clients. Drag each report to the most appropriate priority group for the next nursing round. **1.** 30 minutes after thyroidectomy: new inspiratory stridor and restlessness Select a category Assess and act immediately Schedule after urgent needs Follow up promptly after immediate threats **2.** 6 hours postpartum: boggy uterus and a perineal pad saturated in 15 minutes Select a category Assess and act immediately Schedule after urgent needs Follow up promptly after immediate threats **3.** Diaphoresis and confusion with a point-of-care glucose of 48 mg/dL Select a category Assess and act immediately Schedule after urgent needs Follow up promptly after immediate threats **4.** 2 hours after abdominal surgery: urine output totals 20 mL Select a category Assess and act immediately Schedule after urgent needs Follow up promptly after immediate threats **5.** Pain remains 8 of 10 at 45 minutes after IV opioid; respiratory rate is 16/min Select a category Assess and act immediately Schedule after urgent needs Follow up promptly after immediate threats **6.** Stable client requests teaching for discharge scheduled tomorrow Select a category Assess and act immediately Schedule after urgent needs Follow up promptly after immediate threats **7.** Routine dry dressing change is due in 30 minutes; vital signs are unchanged Select a category Assess and act immediately Schedule after urgent needs Follow up promptly after immediate threats **8.** Stable client asks the nurse to complete a nonurgent work note Select a category Assess and act immediately Schedule after urgent needs Follow up promptly after immediate threats ## Explanation Airway compromise, uncontrolled postpartum bleeding, and symptomatic severe hypoglycemia require immediate assessment and action. New oliguria and pain not relieved by an opioid are unexpected changes that need prompt follow-up after immediate threats. Stable teaching, routine care, and nonurgent requests can wait. ## In-depth explanation Quick answer Rank airway, active hemorrhage, and symptomatic hypoglycemia before unexpected but currently stable changes, then scheduled needs. Why this is correct Inspiratory stridor after thyroid surgery can signal rapidly worsening airway obstruction. A boggy uterus with a saturated pad suggests postpartum hemorrhage. Diaphoresis and confusion with glucose 48 mg/dL indicate neuroglycopenia. New oliguria and persistent severe pain require timely reassessment but do not outrank an active airway, bleeding, or glucose emergency when the reported vital signs remain stable. NCLEX decision rule First identify who could deteriorate or die without action now. Next address unexpected changes. Complete predictable, stable, or scheduled needs last. Why the lower-priority reports wait Discharge teaching, a routine dressing change, and a request for a work note remain important, but delaying them briefly does not create the same immediate physiologic risk.Reference 1NCSBN 2026 NCLEX-RN Test PlanManagement of Care, prioritization, and clinical judgment framework ## Clinical scenario Change-of-shift prioritization The charge nurse must sequence bedside assessment by immediate threat, unexpected change, and stability. No additional staff are immediately available. ## Key concepts - **Airborne Precautions** — Precautions for pathogens that can remain suspended in air. - **Droplet Precautions** — Precautions for pathogens spread by larger respiratory droplets. - **Contact Precautions** — Precautions for pathogens spread by direct or indirect contact. ## Related questions - [A nurse in a busy emergency department is triaging five clients who arrive simultaneously.…](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=368320&lang=en) - [At shift change, a charge nurse receives six postoperative reports. Classify the timing of…](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=393410&lang=en) - [Review the nurse's escalation timeline for a postoperative client whose condition is deter…](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=393500&lang=en) - [The nurse receives report on four clients. 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