NCLEX: An RN prioritizing care after a change in status is being evaluated for nursing care related to prioritize hypoth…

Clinical judgment / Next Gen NCLEX case studies Clinical Judgment

Case Study

An RN prioritizing care after a change in status is being evaluated for nursing care related to prioritize hypotheses. Assessment data include the medication record, labs, and assessment notes contain conflicting cues. Before a medication-related action, what must the nurse verify?

Question

A. Administer on schedule even when the client is unarousable.
B. Skip allergy checks if the drug was given previously without reaction.
C. Right client, medication, dose, route, time, allergies, indication, and relevant monitoring per protocol.
D. Delegate medication judgment to UAP to save time.

Rationale

Correct answer: C. Right client, medication, dose, route, time, allergies, indication, and relevant monitoring per protocol.

Rationale: Medication safety requires full rights verification and monitoring; shortcuts increase error risk on the NCLEX and at the bedside.

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

Level: Foundational

Difficulty: Easy

Subtopic: Prioritize hypotheses