Health assessment · practice question

A 74-year-old client on a medical-surgical unit is being evaluated for neurologic 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 choiceEasynclex-rn-bsnnclex-validatednclex-2026health-assessment

Pain relief before checking airway and breathing.Long-term teaching before treating acute physiologic risk.Airway, breathing, and circulation problems before comfort or psychosocial needs.Visitor concerns before physiologic stability.

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.

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A 74-year-old client on a medical-surgical unit is being evaluated for neurologic 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?

Correct answer

Why

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