A patient is being assessed for range-of-joint movement. The nurse asks him to move his arm in toward the center of his body. What is this movement called?

Choice A reason: Breathing difficulty is the highest priority, as it affects oxygenation, a life-threatening issue. Pain is next, impacting comfort and recovery, followed by sleep, which supports healing. This follows the ABC (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) prioritization, making it the correct order for addressing the patient’s issues.

Choice B reason: Prioritizing sleep over pain after breathing is incorrect; pain is more urgent, as it distresses and affects recovery, while sleep is secondary. Breathing remains first, but pain precedes sleep, so this is incorrect for prioritization.

Choice C reason: Sleep as the first priority ignores breathing, a critical life-threatening issue. Breathing and pain are more urgent, with sleep supporting long-term recovery, so this is incorrect for acute care prioritization principles.

Choice D reason: Placing sleep first and breathing last disregards life-threatening breathing issues. Breathing, then pain, then sleep align with ABC priorities, ensuring patient patient safety, so this is incorrect for the nurse’s approach.

Choice A reason: Asking about other drug allergies is relevant but secondary to understanding the penicillin allergy’s nature. Without clarifying the reaction’s severity (e.g., anaphylaxis vs. rash), the nurse cannot fully assess the risk, making this a less immediate response.

Choice B reason: Asking about the frequency of penicillin use does not address the nature or severity of the allergic reaction. This information is irrelevant to managing the allergy and ensuring patient safety, making it an inappropriate initial response.

Choice C reason: Asking the patient to describe their reaction to penicillin clarifies the type and severity of the allergy (e.g., rash, anaphylaxis). This informs safe medication administration and prevents adverse reactions, making it the most critical and appropriate response.

Choice D reason: Documenting the allergy is necessary but premature without understanding the reaction’s specifics. Assuming the allergy without verification could lead to incomplete charting or mismanagement, making this a less priority response compared to gathering details.