You are the charge nurse in an emergency department (ED) and must assign two staff members to cover the triage area. Which team is the most appropriate for this assignment?

You are the charge nurse in an emergency department (ED) and must assign two staff members to cover the triage area. Which team is the most appropriate for this assignment?

• A. An advanced practice nurse and an experienced LPN/ LVN
• B. An experienced LPN/ LVN and an inexperienced RN
• C. An experienced RN and an inexperienced RN
• D. An experienced RN and an experienced UAP

Answer: (C)

In triage, rapid, accurate patient assessment and prioritization are essential, and those tasks require RN-level clinical judgment within the nurse practice scope. The best pairing is two registered nurses, with one experienced and one inexperienced. The experienced RN can perform the triage assessment, classify acuity, and make initial prioritization decisions, while also guiding and supervising the less experienced RN. This arrangement supports safe patient flow, ensures decisions are based on solid nursing judgment, and provides a learning opportunity for the less experienced RN under appropriate oversight. Pairings that involve LPN/LVN or an unlicensed assistive person reduce the level of independent triage judgment and can delay escalation of high-acuity patients. An advanced practice nurse paired with a non-RN staff member is not ideal for a fast-paced triage area where two licensed RNs provide the most reliable, safe coverage.

In triage, rapid, accurate patient assessment and prioritization are essential, and those tasks require RN-level clinical judgment within the nurse practice scope. The best pairing is two registered nurses, with one experienced and one inexperienced. The experienced RN can perform the triage assessment, classify acuity, and make initial prioritization decisions, while also guiding and supervising the less experienced RN. This arrangement supports safe patient flow, ensures decisions are based on solid nursing judgment, and provides a learning opportunity for the less experienced RN under appropriate oversight.

Pairings that involve LPN/LVN or an unlicensed assistive person reduce the level of independent triage judgment and can delay escalation of high-acuity patients. An advanced practice nurse paired with a non-RN staff member is not ideal for a fast-paced triage area where two licensed RNs provide the most reliable, safe coverage.