Pediatric nursing Clinical Judgment Health Promotion and Maintenance Physiological Adaptation
Case Study
An 8-year-old child in the pediatric unit is being evaluated for pediatric injury prevention. Assessment data include parents report decreased wet diapers and lethargy over 24 hours. Using the clinical judgment model, what is the nurse's first step?
Question
A. Implement the first intervention on the existing care plan without reviewing new data.
B. Evaluate discharge readiness before addressing acute findings.
C. Recognize and analyze relevant cues to determine whether the client is stable or deteriorating.
D. Document the assessment at the end of the shift and continue the prior plan.
Rationale
Correct answer: C. 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: Child safety