Level: Clinical
Difficulty: Medium
Subtopic: Skin integrity
NCLEX: An 82-year-old client on a medical-surgical unit is being evaluated for nursing care related to skin integrity. A…
Nursing fundamentals Basic Care and Comfort Safety and Infection Prevention and Control
Case Study
An 82-year-old client on a medical-surgical unit is being evaluated for nursing care related to skin integrity. Assessment data include pain 9/10 and guards the abdomen after surgery. Which action should the nurse take first?
Question
A. Offer a warm blanket and reschedule assessment until after lunch.
B. Complete all remaining scheduled tasks before reassessing the client.
C. Delegate the initial assessment and clinical judgment to unlicensed assistive personnel.
D. Assess airway, breathing, and circulation; address immediate safety risk; then notify the provider per protocol.
B. Complete all remaining scheduled tasks before reassessing the client.
C. Delegate the initial assessment and clinical judgment to unlicensed assistive personnel.
D. Assess airway, breathing, and circulation; address immediate safety risk; then notify the provider per protocol.
Rationale
Correct answer: D. Assess airway, breathing, and circulation; address immediate safety risk; then notify the provider per protocol.
Rationale: NCLEX priority questions require stabilizing the client first using ABCs and focused assessment before comfort measures, documentation only, or delayed escalation.
Hint: Apply ABCs, client stability, and NCSBN clinical judgment steps before choosing an intervention.
Rationale: NCLEX priority questions require stabilizing the client first using ABCs and focused assessment before comfort measures, documentation only, or delayed escalation.
Hint: Apply ABCs, client stability, and NCSBN clinical judgment steps before choosing an intervention.