Psychiatric / mental health nursing · practice question
A 16-year-old adolescent on an adolescent psychiatric unit is being evaluated for alcohol withdrawal risk. Assessment data include the client has not slept in 3 days and speech is rapid and pressured. Which action should the nurse take first?
Multiple choiceMediumnclex-rn-bsnnclex-validatednclex-2026psychiatric-mental-health
Answer and explanation
Correct answer
C. Assess airway, breathing, and circulation; address immediate safety risk; then notify the provider per protocol.
Why
NCLEX priority questions require stabilizing the client first using ABCs and focused assessment before comfort measures, documentation only, or delayed escalation.
Test yourself on Psychiatric / mental health nursing
A free test with instant, explained results. No account needed.
More Psychiatric / mental health nursing questions
- A 16-year-old adolescent on an adolescent psychiatric unit is being evaluated for expressions of hopelessness.…
- A 42-year-old client in a crisis stabilization unit is being evaluated for alcohol withdrawal risk. Assessment data…
- After nursing care for auditory hallucinations, the nurse evaluates the client response. Which action best…
- A 16-year-old adolescent on an adolescent psychiatric unit is being evaluated for major depressive symptoms.…
- A 42-year-old client in a crisis stabilization unit is being evaluated for alcohol withdrawal risk. Assessment data…
- A 31-year-old client on an inpatient psychiatric unit is being evaluated for major depressive symptoms. Assessment…