NCLEX: The community health nurse at a public health clinic is being evaluated for risk related to secondary prevention….

Community / public health nursing Health Promotion and Maintenance

Case Study

The community health nurse at a public health clinic is being evaluated for risk related to secondary prevention. Assessment data include a neighborhood screening event identifies multiple clients with blood pressure above 180/100 mm Hg. Before teaching, what should the nurse assess first?

Question

A. Begin a long lecture while the client is in acute distress.
B. Assume understanding without checking literacy or readiness.
C. Delegate all teaching without RN evaluation of learning needs.
D. Immediate safety, readiness to learn, literacy, cultural needs, barriers, and baseline understanding.

Rationale

Correct answer: D. Immediate safety, readiness to learn, literacy, cultural needs, barriers, and baseline understanding.

Rationale: Teaching is effective only after safety and learning readiness are confirmed; the RN cannot delegate assessment of learning needs on unstable clients.

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

Level: Foundational

Difficulty: Easy

Subtopic: Secondary prevention