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 respiratory rate 8/min, shallow breathing, and SpO2 86% on room air. Which finding requires the nurse to intervene immediately?

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

Routine data unchanged from the prior assessment.The new finding that respiratory rate 8/min, shallow breathing, and SpO2 86% on room air.A stable, long-standing finding that matches the expected care plan.A comfort request with unchanged vital signs and no new symptoms.

Answer and explanation

Correct answer

B. The new finding that respiratory rate 8/min, shallow breathing, and SpO2 86% on room air.

Why

Follow-up items test whether the nurse recognizes cues that are new, acute, or inconsistent with stability and need prompt nursing action.

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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 respiratory rate 8/min, shallow breathing, and SpO2 86% on room air. Which finding requires the nurse to intervene immediately?

Correct answer

Why

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