Level: Clinical
Difficulty: Medium
Subtopic: Gastrointestinal disorders
NCLEX: A 68-year-old client on a medical-surgical unit is being evaluated for partial bowel obstruction. Assessment data…
Adult health / medical-surgical nursing Physiological Adaptation
Case Study
A 68-year-old client on a medical-surgical unit is being evaluated for partial bowel obstruction. Assessment data include sudden slurred speech and right-sided weakness began 30 minutes ago. Using ABCs and Maslow, which need should the nurse address first?
Question
A. Pain relief before checking airway and breathing.
B. Visitor concerns before physiologic stability.
C. Airway, breathing, and circulation problems before comfort or psychosocial needs.
D. Long-term teaching before treating acute physiologic risk.
B. Visitor concerns before physiologic stability.
C. Airway, breathing, and circulation problems before comfort or psychosocial needs.
D. Long-term teaching before treating acute physiologic risk.
Rationale
Correct answer: C. Airway, breathing, and circulation problems before comfort or psychosocial needs.
Rationale: Physiologic stability and ABCs take priority over comfort, teaching, or psychosocial needs when the client is unstable.
Hint: Apply ABCs, client stability, and NCSBN clinical judgment steps before choosing an intervention.
Rationale: Physiologic stability and ABCs take priority over comfort, teaching, or psychosocial needs when the client is unstable.
Hint: Apply ABCs, client stability, and NCSBN clinical judgment steps before choosing an intervention.