Level: Advanced
Difficulty: Hard
Subtopic: Head and neck assessment
NCLEX: A 49-year-old client in the emergency department is being evaluated for head and neck assessment during hospitali…
Health assessment Reduction of Risk Potential
Case Study
A 49-year-old client in the emergency department is being evaluated for head and neck 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. Leave the client alone to promote independence while finishing charting.
B. Apply the first intervention in the policy manual without a current assessment.
C. Tell the client symptoms are expected and avoid notifying the health care team.
D. Stay with the client, remove immediate hazards, reassess, and escalate per facility safety protocol.
B. Apply the first intervention in the policy manual without a current assessment.
C. Tell the client symptoms are expected and avoid notifying the health care team.
D. Stay with the client, remove immediate hazards, reassess, and escalate per facility safety protocol.
Rationale
Correct answer: D. 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.