When tasked with planning care for a patient with multiple needs, what strategy should a nurse employ first?

Rationale: A. Implementing all interventions at once is not safe or practical, especially when the patient has multiple needs. Without prioritization, critical problems may be overlooked, and care may become disorganized or ineffective. B. Delegating tasks is an important part of care management, but it should occur after the nurse has assessed the patient and prioritized needs. Delegation without prioritization risks inappropriate or unsafe task assignment. C. The first strategy is to identify the most urgent problem. Prioritization ensures that life-threatening or high-risk issues are addressed first, following frameworks such as Maslow’s hierarchy of needs or the ABCs (Airway, Breathing, Circulation). By focusing on the most critical problems, the nurse can allocate time and resources effectively, prevent complications, and provide safe, structured care. D. Scheduling a team meeting may support collaborative care but is not the first step in planning care for a patient with multiple needs. Effective planning begins with identifying and prioritizing urgent problems before coordinating with the team.