Establishing priorities Priority strategy for plan of care A nurse must always be attuned to the set of physiological needs that are important to maintain life and prevent death. Priority of care typically follows the ABC’s: airway, breathing , and circulation. The second major goal of priority of care includes safety- safety of the patient, safety of staff, and safety of others around. Legal rights and responsibilities Mandatory reporting Mandatory reporting in nursing is the law that states nurses are required to report suspected cases of abuse or neglect. Healthcare facilities are responsible for designating personnel to recei ve reports from nursing staff and notify authorities. Depending on state regulations, nurses must report a variety of cases, including elder abuse, child abuse in neglect, the abuse of persons with disabilities, and those who have experienced sexual abuse.