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 has potassium 5.9 mEq/L while asking about salt substitutes. Which error is most dangerous on the NCLEX and in practice?
Question
A. Teaching the client after stability is confirmed.
B. Reassessing the client after an appropriate intervention.
C. Choosing an intervention before identifying assessment cues and immediate safety risk.
D. Using SBAR to notify the provider about abnormal findings.
B. Reassessing the client after an appropriate intervention.
C. Choosing an intervention before identifying assessment cues and immediate safety risk.
D. Using SBAR to notify the provider about abnormal findings.
Rationale
Correct answer: C. 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.