NCLEX: A 58-year-old client on a telemetry unit is being evaluated for nursing care related to autonomy and informed con…

Ethics, legal nursing, delegation, prioritization Management of Care

Case Study

A 58-year-old client on a telemetry unit is being evaluated for nursing care related to autonomy and informed consent. Assessment data include UAP reports the client fell in the bathroom. 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.

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.

Level: Foundational

Difficulty: Easy

Subtopic: Autonomy and informed consent