A nurse is providing care to a group of patients. Which patient will the nurse see first?

A) A patient who is dribbling small amounts on the way to the bathroom and has a diagnosis of urge incontinence
B) A patient with reflex incontinence with elevated blood pressure and pulse rate
C) A patient with an indwelling catheter that has stool on the catheter tubing
D) A patient who has just voided and needs a postvoid residual test

The nurse should see the patient with reflex incontinence first. Patients with reflex incontinence are at risk for developing autonomic dysreflexia, a life-threatening condition that causes severe elevation of blood pressure and pulse rate and diaphoresis. This is a medical emergency requiring immediate intervention; notify the health care provider immediately. A patient with urge incontinence will dribble, and this is expected. While a patient with a catheter and stool on the tubing does need to be cleaned, it is not life threatening. The nurse has 10 minutes before checking on the patient who has a postvoid residual test.