Level: Clinical
Difficulty: Medium
Subtopic: Hematologic disorders
NCLEX: A 68-year-old client on a medical-surgical unit is being evaluated for pancytopenia after chemotherapy. Assessmen…
Adult health / medical-surgical nursing Physiological Adaptation
Case Study
A 68-year-old client on a medical-surgical unit is being evaluated for pancytopenia after chemotherapy. Assessment data include sudden slurred speech and right-sided weakness began 30 minutes ago. Which action should the nurse take first?
Question
A. Offer a warm blanket and reschedule assessment until after lunch.
B. Complete all remaining scheduled tasks before reassessing the client.
C. Apply restraints without assessing less restrictive safety options first.
D. Assess airway, breathing, and circulation; address immediate safety risk; then notify the provider per protocol.
B. Complete all remaining scheduled tasks before reassessing the client.
C. Apply restraints without assessing less restrictive safety options first.
D. Assess airway, breathing, and circulation; address immediate safety risk; then notify the provider per protocol.
Rationale
Correct answer: D. 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.