Nursing fundamentals · practice question
A 76-year-old client in a long-term care facility is being evaluated for nursing care related to elimination. Assessment data include pain 9/10 and guards the abdomen after surgery. Using ABCs and Maslow, which need should the nurse address first?
Multiple choiceMediumnclex-rn-bsnnclex-validatednclex-2026nursing-fundamentals
Answer and explanation
Correct answer
D. 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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