Level: Foundational
Difficulty: Easy
Subtopic: Macronutrients
NCLEX: A 79-year-old client on a medical-surgical unit is being evaluated for nursing care related to macronutrients. As…
Nutrition Basic Care and Comfort
Case Study
A 79-year-old client on a medical-surgical unit is being evaluated for nursing care related to macronutrients. Assessment data include the client has potassium 5.9 mEq/L while asking about salt substitutes. 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. Document the finding and recheck at the end of the shift without further assessment.
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. Document the finding and recheck at the end of the shift without further assessment.
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.