Health assessment · practice question

A 74-year-old client on a medical-surgical unit is being evaluated for cardiovascular assessment during hospitalization. Assessment data include respiratory rate 8/min, shallow breathing, and SpO2 86% on room air. Before teaching, what should the nurse assess first?

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

Assume understanding without checking literacy or readiness.Begin a long lecture while the client is in acute distress.Delegate all teaching without RN evaluation of learning needs.Immediate safety, readiness to learn, literacy, cultural needs, barriers, and baseline understanding.

Answer and explanation

Correct answer

D. Immediate safety, readiness to learn, literacy, cultural needs, barriers, and baseline understanding.

Why

Teaching is effective only after safety and learning readiness are confirmed; the RN cannot delegate assessment of learning needs on unstable clients.

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A 74-year-old client on a medical-surgical unit is being evaluated for cardiovascular assessment during hospitalization. Assessment data include respiratory rate 8/min, shallow breathing, and SpO2 86% on room air. Before teaching, what should the nurse assess first?

Correct answer

Why

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