Question

You are seeing an elderly man with multiple concerns. He has chronic arthritis, pain from an old war injury, and headaches. Today he presents these pains, as well as dull chest pain under his sternum. What would the order of priority be for your problem list

Answer 1

Answer:

Chest pain, headaches, arthritis, war injury pain

Explanation:

It is necessary to treat a patient's symptoms in order of priority giving preference first to life-threatening complaints before proceeding to lesser cases.

First all symptoms are assessed to know the most pressing need

- As in the case of this elderly man, he should receive first priority treatment to his chest ache under sternum so as not to deteriorate into an emergency.

The next is the headache and then arthritis before tending to his old war injury pain.

Following this priority, will help to stabilise the patient and proceed easily to other treatment plans.