Adult health / medical-surgical nursing · practice question

A 62-year-old client on a postoperative unit is being evaluated for rapidly worsening vital signs. Assessment data include temperature 102.2°F (39°C), heart rate 126/min, blood pressure 86/50 mm Hg, and confusion. Before teaching, what should the nurse assess first?

Multiple choiceHardnclex-rn-bsnnclex-validatednclex-2026adult-health-med-surg

Delegate all teaching without RN evaluation of learning needs.Begin a long lecture while the client is in acute distress.Assume understanding without checking literacy or readiness.Immediate safety, readiness to learn, literacy, cultural needs, barriers, and baseline understanding.

Answer and explanation

Correct answer

D. Immediate safety, readiness to learn, literacy, cultural needs, barriers, and baseline understanding.

Why

Teaching is effective only after safety and learning readiness are confirmed; the RN cannot delegate assessment of learning needs on unstable clients.

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A 62-year-old client on a postoperative unit is being evaluated for rapidly worsening vital signs. Assessment data include temperature 102.2°F (39°C), heart rate 126/min, blood pressure 86/50 mm Hg, and confusion. Before teaching, what should the nurse assess first?

Correct answer

Why

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