What is one major consequence of poor prioritization in nursing?

Poor prioritization in nursing can lead to an increased risk of patient harm. When nursing tasks and patient needs are not appropriately prioritized, critical situations can be overlooked or not addressed in a timely manner. This can result in missed medications, delayed interventions, or insufficient monitoring, all of which are detrimental to patient safety and care quality.

Effective prioritization is essential for ensuring that the most pressing health concerns are managed first. For instance, a patient in critical condition requires immediate attention, while a patient with a minor issue can afford to wait. If nurses focus on less critical tasks, it can compromise the care that patients with urgent needs receive, potentially leading to serious complications or adverse events.

In contrast, the other options suggest positive outcomes that are unlikely to result from poor prioritization. Enhanced patient satisfaction, improved team collaboration, and more efficient use of resources are all benefits that typically arise when prioritization is done correctly, allowing for a structured, timely, and focused approach to patient care.