Level: Clinical
Difficulty: Medium
Subtopic: Abdominal assessment
NCLEX: A 49-year-old client in the emergency department is being evaluated for abdominal assessment during hospitalizati…
Health assessment Reduction of Risk Potential
Case Study
A 49-year-old client in the emergency department is being evaluated for abdominal assessment during hospitalization. Assessment data include the client tries to get out of bed unassisted and becomes unsteady. Which nursing action is the priority to keep the client safe?
Question
A. Stay with the client, remove immediate hazards, reassess, and escalate per facility safety protocol.
B. Leave the client alone to promote independence while finishing charting.
C. Apply the first intervention in the policy manual without a current assessment.
D. Complete nonurgent tasks first because the client appears calm.
B. Leave the client alone to promote independence while finishing charting.
C. Apply the first intervention in the policy manual without a current assessment.
D. Complete nonurgent tasks first because the client appears calm.
Rationale
Correct answer: A. Stay with the client, remove immediate hazards, reassess, and escalate per facility safety protocol.
Rationale: Client safety requires direct assessment, hazard reduction, and timely escalation rather than assumptions, abandonment, or policy-only actions.
Hint: Apply ABCs, client stability, and NCSBN clinical judgment steps before choosing an intervention.
Rationale: Client safety requires direct assessment, hazard reduction, and timely escalation rather than assumptions, abandonment, or policy-only actions.
Hint: Apply ABCs, client stability, and NCSBN clinical judgment steps before choosing an intervention.