Health assessment · practice question

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

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

Offer a warm blanket and reschedule assessment until after lunch.Tell the client symptoms are expected and avoid notifying the health care team.Assess airway, breathing, and circulation; address immediate safety risk; then notify the provider per protocol.Complete all remaining scheduled tasks before reassessing the client.

Answer and explanation

Correct answer

C. 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 musculoskeletal 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