Ethics, legal nursing, delegation, prioritization · practice question

A 64-year-old client on a medical-surgical unit is being evaluated for a busy medical-surgical assignment. The nurse reviews this trend: creatinine rising from 1.0 to 2.3 mg/dL with decreased urine output. Which interpretation and action are most appropriate?

Multiple choiceHardnclex-rn-bsnnclex-validatednclex-2026ethics-legal-delegation-prioritization

Ignore the trend because one data point can be explained later.Interpret the trend in context, compare it with baseline or benchmarks, and take the safest indicated action.Treat a single value without comparing it with baseline, symptoms, or benchmarks.Wait for a critical value or sentinel event before taking any nursing action.

Answer and explanation

Correct answer

B. Interpret the trend in context, compare it with baseline or benchmarks, and take the safest indicated action.

Why

Trend questions require comparison with baseline, symptoms, risk, and benchmarks. Safe nursing action begins before a preventable event becomes critical.

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A 64-year-old client on a medical-surgical unit is being evaluated for a busy medical-surgical assignment. The nurse reviews this trend: creatinine rising from 1.0 to 2.3 mg/dL with decreased urine output. Which interpretation and action are most appropriate?

Correct answer

Why

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