Level: Advanced
Difficulty: Hard
Subtopic: Unsafe orders
NCLEX: A 64-year-old client on a medical-surgical unit is being evaluated for nursing care related to unsafe orders. Ass…
Ethics, legal nursing, delegation, prioritization Management of Care
Case Study
A 64-year-old client on a medical-surgical unit is being evaluated for nursing care related to unsafe orders. Assessment data include UAP reports the client fell in the bathroom. 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. Wait for the provider's routine visit before acting on abnormal findings.
B. Offer a warm blanket and reschedule assessment until after lunch.
C. Complete all remaining scheduled tasks before reassessing the client.
D. Wait for the provider's routine visit before acting on abnormal findings.
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.