NCLEX: A 55-year-old client after abdominal surgery is being evaluated for new admission assessment. Assessment data inc…

Nursing fundamentals Basic Care and Comfort Safety and Infection Prevention and Control

Case Study

A 55-year-old client after abdominal surgery is being evaluated for new admission assessment. Assessment data include the client tries to get out of bed unassisted and becomes unsteady. The nurse is evaluating discharge teaching. Which client statement shows correct understanding?

Question

A. "I will stop my medications when I feel better."
B. "I do not need to report mild symptoms unless they become unbearable."
C. "I will call the nurse if I have new or worse symptoms before my follow-up appointment."
D. "The nurse does not need to know about changes unless the provider asks."

Rationale

Correct answer: C. "I will call the nurse if I have new or worse symptoms before my follow-up appointment."

Rationale: Effective teaching includes when to seek help for worsening symptoms. Stopping medications or delaying reports are unsafe.

Hint: Apply ABCs, client stability, and NCSBN clinical judgment steps before choosing an intervention.

Level: Foundational

Difficulty: Easy

Subtopic: Nursing process