NCLEX: A 58-year-old client on a telemetry unit is being evaluated for a busy medical-surgical assignment. Assessment da…

Ethics, legal nursing, delegation, prioritization Clinical Judgment Management of Care

Case Study

A 58-year-old client on a telemetry unit is being evaluated for a busy medical-surgical assignment. Assessment data include telephone order received for a high-risk IV medication. Using the clinical judgment model, what is the nurse's first step?

Question

A. Recognize and analyze relevant cues to determine whether the client is stable or deteriorating.
B. Implement the first intervention on the existing care plan without reviewing new data.
C. Evaluate discharge readiness before addressing acute findings.
D. Document the assessment at the end of the shift and continue the prior plan.

Rationale

Correct answer: A. Recognize and analyze relevant cues to determine whether the client is stable or deteriorating.

Rationale: NCSBN clinical judgment begins with recognizing and analyzing cues before taking action or evaluating outcomes.

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

Level: Advanced

Difficulty: Hard

Subtopic: Delegation rules