Health assessment · practice question

A 49-year-old client in the emergency department is being evaluated for respiratory assessment during hospitalization. Assessment data include the client reports no sleep and increasing agitation overnight. Which action should the nurse take first?

Multiple choiceMediumnclex-rn-bsnnclex-validatednclex-2026health-assessment

Assess airway, breathing, and circulation; address immediate safety risk; then notify the provider per protocol.Complete all remaining scheduled tasks before reassessing the client.Offer a warm blanket and reschedule assessment until after lunch.Complete nonurgent tasks first because the client appears calm.

Answer and explanation

Correct answer

A. Assess airway, breathing, and circulation; address immediate safety risk; then notify the provider per protocol.

Why

NCLEX priority questions require stabilizing the client first using ABCs and focused assessment before comfort measures, documentation only, or delayed escalation.

Test yourself on Health assessment

A free test with instant, explained results. No account needed.

Start free test

All Health assessment questions →

A 49-year-old client in the emergency department is being evaluated for respiratory assessment during hospitalization. Assessment data include the client reports no sleep and increasing agitation overnight. Which action should the nurse take first?

Correct answer

Why

More Health assessment questions