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Health assessment · practice question

A 66-year-old client in an outpatient clinic is being evaluated for cardiovascular assessment during hospitalization. Assessment data include the client has not voided in 8 hours and lower abdomen is firm and tender. Using ABCs and Maslow, which need should the nurse address first?

Multiple choiceMediumnclex-rn-bsnnclex-validatednclex-2026health-assessment
Choose one answer
Answer and explanation

Correct answer

A. 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.

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