A nurse is prioritizing care for several clients on a busy hospital unit. Based on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, which client should the nurse attend to first?
A client who is anxious about an upcoming surgery and requests emotional support.
A client who is complaining of severe pain and requests pain medication.
A client who is requesting information about financial assistance for their medical bills.
A client who is feeling very lonely and asks to speak with someone.
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A reason: Anxiety and emotional support fall under the category of safety and psychological needs. While important, they are not as urgent as physiological needs such as pain management.
Choice B reason: Severe pain is a physiological need, which is the most basic and urgent level in Maslow’s hierarchy. Addressing pain is essential for comfort, healing, and preventing complications such as increased stress response or impaired mobility.
Choice C reason: Financial assistance relates to long-term security and social needs. It does not pose an immediate threat to the client’s physical well-being and can be addressed after urgent physiological concerns.
Choice D reason: Loneliness is a social and emotional need. While it affects mental health, it does not take precedence over acute physical distress such as severe pain.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: Safety is the second foundational level in Maslow’s hierarchy, immediately following physiological needs. For a client experiencing domestic violence, ensuring physical safety is paramount before addressing legal, emotional, or social needs. Securing confidential housing removes the client from immediate harm and provides a stable environment where other needs can be addressed. Without safety, the client cannot effectively engage in legal processes or emotional healing.
Choice B reason: While legal advice is important for long-term protection and justice, it does not address the immediate threat to the client’s physical safety. Legal processes can be lengthy and may not provide immediate relief from danger. This action aligns more with higher-level needs such as security and autonomy, which are secondary to basic safety.
Choice C reason: Support groups are valuable for emotional healing and social connection, which fall under Maslow’s third level—love and belonging. However, these needs cannot be prioritized until the client’s safety is secured. Attending a support group while still in a dangerous environment may expose the client to further risk.
Choice D reason: Providing clothing addresses physiological needs, but it is not the most urgent priority in this context. While clothing is essential, the threat of violence poses a more immediate risk to life and well-being. Safety must be ensured before other physiological needs are addressed.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: Gender is a non-modifiable risk factor. While certain diseases may have different prevalence rates based on gender, individuals cannot change their biological sex to reduce health risks. Nurses must consider gender in risk assessments but cannot modify it.
Choice B reason: Age is another non-modifiable risk factor. As people age, their risk for many chronic conditions increases, but age itself cannot be altered. Health promotion strategies must adapt to age-related risks rather than attempt to change age.
Choice C reason: A sedentary lifestyle is a modifiable risk factor. Clients can reduce their health risks by increasing physical activity, which improves cardiovascular health, metabolic function, and mental well-being. Nurses play a key role in educating and motivating clients to adopt active lifestyles.
Choice D reason: Family history reflects genetic predisposition and is non-modifiable. While it helps identify individuals at higher risk for certain conditions, it cannot be changed. However, awareness of family history can guide preventive strategies.
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