A nurse is performing triage at the site of a mass casualty. For which of the following clients should the nurse assign a yellow tag?

Rationale:
A. A client with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) receiving continuous IV insulin requires critical care knowledge and frequent titration of insulin and electrolytes, which a labor and delivery (L&D) float nurse may not be familiar with. This patient is high acuity and should not be assigned to a float nurse unfamiliar with ICU-type care.

B. A client who is 1 hour postoperative following a hysterectomy is a stable post-surgical patient with routine post-operative needs, such as monitoring vital signs, assessing the surgical site, managing pain, and assisting with mobility. This level of care is within the competence of an L&D nurse who has experience with post-surgical and postpartum care, making it the safest assignment.

C. A client with new-onset chest pain and continuous cardiac monitoring requires immediate assessment and advanced cardiac care. This is high acuity and could require rapid interventions, making it unsafe for a float nurse unfamiliar with cardiac care.

D. A client who has just returned from surgery following a tracheostomy placement requires airway management skills, suctioning, and monitoring for respiratory complications, which are beyond the routine experience of an L&D float nurse. This assignment would be unsafe.

Rationale:
A. Asking the client’s family to contact the insurance provider may delay timely resolution. While insurance approval may be necessary, coordinating delivery is the responsibility of the healthcare team to ensure client safety.

B. Contacting social services may help with long-term arrangements, but it is not the immediate priority when the client requires oxygen for safe discharge. Social services can assist in arranging resources, but the provider must first be informed.

C. Notifying the provider about the delayed oxygen tank delivery is the appropriate action. The provider needs to be aware because the client cannot be safely discharged without the prescribed oxygen, and alternative arrangements, such as delaying discharge or providing temporary in-hospital oxygen, may be required. This ensures client safety and adherence to discharge orders.

D. Sending an oxygen tank from the facility home with the client is not allowed. Hospital oxygen tanks are for facility use and are regulated; transferring them offsite is unsafe and typically prohibited by policy and law.