NCLEX: A 49-year-old client in the emergency department is being evaluated for focused reassessment during hospitalizati…

Health assessment Reduction of Risk Potential

Case Study

A 49-year-old client in the emergency department is being evaluated for focused reassessment during hospitalization. Assessment data include pain 9/10 and guards the abdomen after surgery. The nurse is evaluating discharge teaching. Which client statement shows correct understanding?

Question

A. "I will stop my medications when I feel better."
B. "I do not need to report mild symptoms unless they become unbearable."
C. "I will call the nurse if I have new or worse symptoms before my follow-up appointment."
D. "The nurse does not need to know about changes unless the provider asks."

Rationale

Correct answer: C. "I will call the nurse if I have new or worse symptoms before my follow-up appointment."

Rationale: Effective teaching includes when to seek help for worsening symptoms. Stopping medications or delaying reports are unsafe.

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

Level: Advanced

Difficulty: Hard

Subtopic: Focused reassessment