Level: Clinical
Difficulty: Medium
Subtopic: Hematologic disorders
NCLEX: A 62-year-old client on a postoperative unit is being evaluated for pancytopenia after chemotherapy. Assessment d…
Adult health / medical-surgical nursing Physiological Adaptation
Case Study
A 62-year-old client on a postoperative unit is being evaluated for pancytopenia after chemotherapy. Assessment data include the client has crackles bilaterally, SpO2 88% on room air, and reports increased shortness of breath. Before teaching, what should the nurse assess first?
Question
A. Begin a long lecture while the client is in acute distress.
B. Immediate safety, readiness to learn, literacy, cultural needs, barriers, and baseline understanding.
C. Assume understanding without checking literacy or readiness.
D. Delegate all teaching without RN evaluation of learning needs.
B. Immediate safety, readiness to learn, literacy, cultural needs, barriers, and baseline understanding.
C. Assume understanding without checking literacy or readiness.
D. Delegate all teaching without RN evaluation of learning needs.
Rationale
Correct answer: B. Immediate safety, readiness to learn, literacy, cultural needs, barriers, and baseline understanding.
Rationale: Teaching is effective only after safety and learning readiness are confirmed; the RN cannot delegate assessment of learning needs on unstable clients.
Hint: Apply ABCs, client stability, and NCSBN clinical judgment steps before choosing an intervention.
Rationale: Teaching is effective only after safety and learning readiness are confirmed; the RN cannot delegate assessment of learning needs on unstable clients.
Hint: Apply ABCs, client stability, and NCSBN clinical judgment steps before choosing an intervention.