Level: Foundational
Difficulty: Easy
Subtopic: Vital signs
NCLEX: A 70-year-old client in a rehabilitation facility is being evaluated for postoperative monitoring. Assessment dat…
Nursing fundamentals Basic Care and Comfort Safety and Infection Prevention and Control
Case Study
A 70-year-old client in a rehabilitation facility is being evaluated for postoperative monitoring. Assessment data include respiratory rate 8/min, shallow breathing, and SpO2 86% on room air. Which error is most dangerous on the NCLEX and in practice?
Question
A. Teaching the client after stability is confirmed.
B. Choosing an intervention before identifying assessment cues and immediate safety risk.
C. Reassessing the client after an appropriate intervention.
D. Using SBAR to notify the provider about abnormal findings.
B. Choosing an intervention before identifying assessment cues and immediate safety risk.
C. Reassessing the client after an appropriate intervention.
D. Using SBAR to notify the provider about abnormal findings.
Rationale
Correct answer: B. 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.
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.