NCLEX: A 58-year-old client on a telemetry unit is being evaluated for nursing care related to mandatory reporting. Asse…

Ethics, legal nursing, delegation, prioritization Management of Care

Case Study

A 58-year-old client on a telemetry unit is being evaluated for nursing care related to mandatory reporting. Assessment data include provider order for a medication the client is allergic to on the chart. 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. Delegate the initial assessment and clinical judgment to unlicensed assistive personnel.

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.

Level: Clinical

Difficulty: Medium

Subtopic: Mandatory reporting