NCLEX: An 82-year-old client on a medical-surgical unit is being evaluated for new admission assessment. Assessment data…

Nursing fundamentals Basic Care and Comfort Safety and Infection Prevention and Control

Case Study

An 82-year-old client on a medical-surgical unit is being evaluated for new admission assessment. Assessment data include pressure injury stage 2 noted on the coccyx with unchanged dressing. Which nursing action should the nurse take first?

Question

A. Implement the final step of the care plan before assessing the client.
B. Document the client as stable without reassessment.
C. Perform a focused assessment for immediate risk, then implement the safest intervention per protocol.
D. Administer the next scheduled intervention before reassessing the client.

Rationale

Correct answer: C. Perform a focused assessment for immediate risk, then implement the safest intervention per protocol.

Rationale: First-action questions on the NCLEX require assessment and safety before treatment, documentation alone, or delegation of nursing judgment.

Hint: Apply ABCs, client stability, and NCSBN clinical judgment steps before choosing an intervention.

Level: Foundational

Difficulty: Easy

Subtopic: Nursing process