Level: Clinical
Difficulty: Medium
Subtopic: Postpartum assessment
NCLEX: A postpartum client on the mother-baby unit is being evaluated for immediate postpartum recovery. Assessment data…
Maternal-newborn nursing Health Promotion and Maintenance Reduction of Risk Potential
Case Study
A postpartum client on the mother-baby unit is being evaluated for immediate postpartum recovery. Assessment data include the client reports calf pain with unilateral warmth and swelling. 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. Stay with the client, remove immediate hazards, reassess, and escalate per facility safety protocol.
D. Complete nonurgent tasks first because the client appears calm.
B. Apply the first intervention in the policy manual without a current assessment.
C. Stay with the client, remove immediate hazards, reassess, and escalate per facility safety protocol.
D. Complete nonurgent tasks first because the client appears calm.
Rationale
Correct answer: C. 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.