During a health history, a 22-year-old woman asks, “Can I get that vaccine for human papilloma virus (HPV)? I have genital warts and I’d like them to go away!” What is the nurse’s best response?

Choice A reason: Naming the past four presidents tests remote memory, as it involves recalling historical facts learned years ago. Recent memory involves events from hours or days, so this question does not assess the patient’s short-term memory capacity effectively.

Choice B reason: Recalling children’s names typically involves long-term memory, as these are familiar, well-established facts. While personal, this information is not recent and does not evaluate the patient’s ability to retain new information, making it unsuitable for recent memory assessment.

Choice C reason: A mother’s maiden name is a long-term memory fact, often memorized years ago. It does not test recent memory, which focuses on newly acquired information, making this question inappropriate for assessing short-term memory in the elderly patient.

Choice D reason: Asking about breakfast this morning tests recent memory, as it involves recalling an event from hours ago. This is ideal for assessing short-term memory function in older adults, as it evaluates the ability to retain and recall new information accurately.

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.