Level: Advanced
Difficulty: Hard
Subtopic: Grief and coping
NCLEX: A client in an outpatient clinic is being evaluated for nursing care related to grief and coping. Assessment data…
Psychology / lifespan development Health Promotion and Maintenance
Case Study
A client in an outpatient clinic is being evaluated for nursing care related to grief and coping. Assessment data include the client is pacing aggressively, clenching fists, and refusing to sit. 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. Tell the client symptoms are expected and avoid notifying the health care team.
B. Offer a warm blanket and reschedule assessment until after lunch.
C. Complete all remaining scheduled tasks before reassessing the client.
D. Tell the client symptoms are expected and avoid notifying the health care team.
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.