Level: Advanced
Difficulty: Hard
Subtopic: Medication reconciliation
NCLEX: A 68-year-old client on a medical-surgical unit is being evaluated for transfer from another facility with multip…
Pharmacology Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
Case Study
A 68-year-old client on a medical-surgical unit is being evaluated for transfer from another facility with multiple home medications. Assessment data include the client has respiratory rate 10/min and is difficult to arouse after opioid administration. Which action should the nurse take first?
Question
A. Offer a warm blanket and reschedule assessment until after lunch.
B. Assess airway, breathing, and circulation; address immediate safety risk; then notify the provider per protocol.
C. Complete all remaining scheduled tasks before reassessing the client.
D. Wait for the provider's routine visit before acting on abnormal findings.
B. Assess airway, breathing, and circulation; address immediate safety risk; then notify the provider per protocol.
C. Complete all remaining scheduled tasks before reassessing the client.
D. Wait for the provider's routine visit before acting on abnormal findings.
Rationale
Correct answer: B. Assess airway, breathing, and circulation; address immediate safety risk; then notify the provider per protocol.
Rationale: NCLEX priority questions require stabilizing the client first using ABCs and focused assessment before comfort measures, documentation only, or delayed escalation.
Hint: Apply ABCs, client stability, and NCSBN clinical judgment steps before choosing an intervention.
Rationale: NCLEX priority questions require stabilizing the client first using ABCs and focused assessment before comfort measures, documentation only, or delayed escalation.
Hint: Apply ABCs, client stability, and NCSBN clinical judgment steps before choosing an intervention.