NCLEX: A 66-year-old client in an outpatient clinic is being evaluated for cardiovascular assessment during hospitalizat…
Health assessmentReduction of Risk Potential
Case Study
A 66-year-old client in an outpatient clinic is being evaluated for cardiovascular assessment during hospitalization. Assessment data include the client reports no sleep and increasing agitation overnight. Which error is most dangerous on the NCLEX and in practice?
Question
A. Teaching the client after stability is confirmed.
B. Reassessing the client after an appropriate intervention.
C. Choosing an intervention before identifying assessment cues and immediate safety risk.
D. Using SBAR to notify the provider about abnormal findings.
Rationale
Correct answer: C. Choosing an intervention before identifying assessment cues and immediate safety risk.
Rationale: The most dangerous NCLEX trap is treating before assessing, which can miss life-threatening deterioration.
Hint: Apply ABCs, client stability, and NCSBN clinical judgment steps before choosing an intervention.