Which of the following is a primary duty of the ED nurse?

The primary duty of the Emergency Department (ED) nurse is to monitor the patient. This responsibility involves continuous assessment of the patient's condition, vital signs, and any changes in their status. The ability of the nurse to observe and interpret these changes is crucial in the emergency setting, where timely interventions can make significant differences in patient outcomes.

Monitoring includes recognizing the need for urgent treatment, responding to patient distress, and collaborating with the healthcare team to implement care plans effectively. ED nurses play a vital role in providing immediate care and ensuring that patients receive appropriate interventions based on their evolving clinical status.

While documenting the patient's visit, placing physician's orders, and managing clerical duties are important aspects of the overall workflow in the ED, they are secondary to the critical role of patient monitoring. The safety and well-being of patients require that nurses focus primarily on their assessment and monitoring duties, ensuring that they can identify and respond to any complications promptly.