The Two Priority Frameworks
Framework 1: ABCs (Airway, Breathing, Circulation)
Physiological survival needs take absolute priority. Airway problems kill fastest → addressed first. Then breathing (oxygenation), then circulation (cardiac/vascular). A patient with respiratory distress takes priority over a patient with pain, regardless of pain intensity.
Framework 2: Maslow Hierarchy of Needs
Physiological needs (oxygen, food, water) → Safety → Love/Belonging → Esteem → Self-actualisation. Always address lower-level needs first. A confused patient with a safety risk (fall risk) takes priority over a stable patient with anxiety.
Priority Decision Rules
- Acute/unstable before chronic/stable: New symptom onset always beats ongoing condition
- Actual problem before potential problem: Current airway compromise beats risk-for-infection
- Life-threatening before non-life-threatening: Anaphylaxis beats pain management
- System-specific priority: Respiratory (ventilation) → Cardiovascular (perfusion) → Neurological → All others
Prioritization Practice Questions
Apply these frameworks to our practice questions: Management of Care & Delegation Questions • Full Question Bank
🎯 The "Which Client First?" Question
When asked to prioritise among four clients: find the most unstable or rapidly deteriorating patient. Look for words: sudden, acute onset, change from baseline, respiratory distress, haemodynamic instability. Stable chronic conditions are always last.