Level: Clinical
Difficulty: Medium
Subtopic: Parenteral nutrition
NCLEX: A 63-year-old client with chronic kidney disease is being evaluated for nursing care related to parenteral nutrit…
Nutrition Basic Care and Comfort
Case Study
A 63-year-old client with chronic kidney disease is being evaluated for nursing care related to parenteral nutrition. Assessment data include the client coughs when drinking thin liquids and has wet vocal quality after swallowing. Which action should the nurse take first?
Question
A. Assess airway, breathing, and circulation; address immediate safety risk; then notify the provider per protocol.
B. Offer a warm blanket and reschedule assessment until after lunch.
C. Complete all remaining scheduled tasks before reassessing the client.
D. Delegate the initial assessment and clinical judgment to unlicensed assistive personnel.
B. Offer a warm blanket and reschedule assessment until after lunch.
C. Complete all remaining scheduled tasks before reassessing the client.
D. Delegate the initial assessment and clinical judgment to unlicensed assistive personnel.
Rationale
Correct answer: A. 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.