Health assessment · practice question
A 49-year-old client in the emergency department is being evaluated for pain assessment during hospitalization. Assessment data include pain 9/10 and guards the abdomen after surgery. Using ABCs and Maslow, which need should the nurse address first?
Multiple choiceEasynclex-rn-bsnnclex-validatednclex-2026health-assessment
Answer and explanation
Correct answer
C. Airway, breathing, and circulation problems before comfort or psychosocial needs.
Why
Physiologic stability and ABCs take priority over comfort, teaching, or psychosocial needs when the client is unstable.
Test yourself on Health assessment
A free test with instant, explained results. No account needed.
More Health assessment questions
- A 66-year-old client in an outpatient clinic is being evaluated for pain assessment during hospitalization. The nurse…
- The RN is caring for a stable client who needs routine assistance related to skin and wound assessment during…
- A 49-year-old client in the emergency department is being evaluated for neurologic assessment during hospitalization.…
- A 66-year-old client in an outpatient clinic is being evaluated for musculoskeletal assessment during hospitalization.…
- A 74-year-old client on a medical-surgical unit is being evaluated for respiratory assessment during hospitalization.…
- After nursing care for skin and wound assessment during hospitalization, the nurse evaluates the client response.…