Health assessment · practice question

A 66-year-old client in an outpatient clinic is being evaluated for musculoskeletal assessment during hospitalization. Assessment data include pain 9/10 and guards the abdomen after surgery. Which nursing action should the nurse take first?

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

Document the client as stable without reassessment.Perform a focused assessment for immediate risk, then implement the safest intervention per protocol.Implement the final step of the care plan before assessing the client.Wait for the provider's routine visit before acting on abnormal findings.

Answer and explanation

Correct answer

B. Perform a focused assessment for immediate risk, then implement the safest intervention per protocol.

Why

First-action questions on the NCLEX require assessment and safety before treatment, documentation alone, or delegation of nursing judgment.

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A 66-year-old client in an outpatient clinic is being evaluated for musculoskeletal assessment during hospitalization. Assessment data include pain 9/10 and guards the abdomen after surgery. Which nursing action should the nurse take first?

Correct answer

Why

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