Chapter 10

Physiological Integrity: Reduction of Risk Potential

Reduction of risk potential involves ways in which you can help to reduce the likelihood that clients will develop complications or health problems related to existing conditions, diagnostic tests, treatments, or other procedures.

On the NCLEX-RN® exam, you can expect 12 percent of the questions to relate to Reduction of Risk Potential. Exam content for this category includes, but is not limited to, the following areas:

• Changes/abnormalities in vital signs
• Diagnostic tests
• Laboratory values
• Potential for alterations in body systems
• Potential for complications of diagnostic tests/treatments/procedures
• Potential for complications from surgical procedures and health alterations
• System specific assessments
• Therapeutic procedures

Now let’s review some of the most important concepts related to these subtopics.