69-year-old male with cloudy urine and fever of 100.3°F
42-year-old female with pain in jaw and back that has become more intense in past 15 minutes
56-year-old female with hot flashes and inability to sleep the past four nights
10-year-old boy with a closed fracture of the tibia, who rates his pain level as 7
out of 10
Number 2 is correct.
Rationale: The nurse should prioritize by first assessing for risks to airway, breathing, or circulation. The woman reporting jaw and back pain may be experiencing a myocardial infarction, which is a priority situation. While all of the other situations should be addressed, they should be triaged appropriately as they are not emergencies.
