Level: Advanced
Difficulty: Hard
Subtopic: Oncology care
NCLEX: A 68-year-old client on a medical-surgical unit is being evaluated for neutropenia during chemotherapy. Assessmen…
Adult health / medical-surgical nursing Physiological Adaptation
Case Study
A 68-year-old client on a medical-surgical unit is being evaluated for neutropenia during chemotherapy. Assessment data include the client reports sudden sharp chest pain and respirations 32/min after surgery. Which action should the nurse take first?
Question
A. Assess airway, breathing, and circulation; address immediate safety risk; then notify the provider per protocol.
B. Offer a warm blanket and reschedule assessment until after lunch.
C. Complete all remaining scheduled tasks before reassessing the client.
D. Tell the client symptoms are expected and avoid notifying the health care team.
B. Offer a warm blanket and reschedule assessment until after lunch.
C. Complete all remaining scheduled tasks before reassessing the client.
D. Tell the client symptoms are expected and avoid notifying the health care team.
Rationale
Correct answer: A. Assess airway, breathing, and circulation; address immediate safety risk; then notify the provider per protocol.
Rationale: NCLEX priority questions require stabilizing the client first using ABCs and focused assessment before comfort measures, documentation only, or delayed escalation.
Hint: Apply ABCs, client stability, and NCSBN clinical judgment steps before choosing an intervention.
Rationale: NCLEX priority questions require stabilizing the client first using ABCs and focused assessment before comfort measures, documentation only, or delayed escalation.
Hint: Apply ABCs, client stability, and NCSBN clinical judgment steps before choosing an intervention.